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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2013 


http://archive.org/details/reporttonewyorklOOnewy 


REPORT 


TO   THE   NEW   YORK   LEGISLATURE 


OF  THE 


COMMISSION 


TO 


M  anil  f  oralc  laiiiis  for  |iiMir  |j 


arks 


IN  THE 

Twenty-third  and  Twenty-fourth  Wards  of  the   City 
OF  New  York,  and  in  the  Vicinity  thereof. 


According    to   the  Provmons  of  the  Act  of  the  Lefjidature  of  the  State  of 
New    York,    Chapter  2o3,   pfmed  April  19,    1883. 


NEW  TOEK: 

MARTIN   B.    BROWN,    PRINTER   AND    STATIONER, 
Nos.  49  and  ol   Park  Place. 


1884 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

The  appointment  and  work  of  the  Commission 7 

Importance  of  information  relating  to  parks 8 

International,  national,  State  and  metropolitan  parks 9 

The  public  demand  for  larger  breathing-places  and  play -grounds 10 

Foresight  of  De  Witt  Clinton  when  Mayor  of  New  York — Park  reserva- 
tions in  1809 — A  great  opportunity  lo3t 14 

The  present  park  area  of  New  York 20 

A  striking  contrast 22 

Excessive  mortality  of  New  York  and  its  prolific  causes 26 

Hygienic  effects  of  parks 28 

Question  of  accessibility  to  suburban  pleasure-grounds 31 

Botanical  and  zoological  gardens 38 

Necessity  for  a  site  for  a  world's  fair 40 

The  census  returns  and  the  lessons  they  teach — The  grand  future  of 

our  metropolis 44 

Cause  of  our  limited  park  area 54 

Effect  of  Central  Park  on  the  value  of  adjacent  land 55 

Objections  to  the  proposed  increase  of  park  area  answered 57 

Parks  as  a  profitable  municipal  investment—  A  notable  instance — From 

three  thousand  dollars  to  over  a  million  and  a  quarter 64 

Testimony  from  New  York's  ofBcial  records 69 

The  city  makes  seventeen  millions  of  dollars  and  acquires  land  worth 

two  hundred  millions 72 

Corroborative  evidence  from  other  cities * 74 

Mode  of  Payment — The  Parks  will  more  than  pay  for  themselves  and 

leave  the  title  in  the  city  free  of  cost 79 

The  moral  aspect  of  the  question — The  remedy  for  a  great  evU 82 

THE  SITES  SELECTED. 

Van  Cortlandt  park  and  lake 87 

A  parade  ground  and  rifle  range  for  the  National  Guard 93 

Landmarks  and  traditions  of  1770 95 


PAGE. 

Letters  from  L.  R.  Marsh  and  Major-General  Shaler 9T 

The  Bronx  Park 102 

Sanitary  reasons  demand  the  preservation  of  the  Bronx 106 

Crotona  Park 109 

St.  Mary's  Park Ill 

Claremont  Park 112 

Pelham  Bay  Park 113 

The  parkways 121 

The  map  and  views  of  the  proposed  parks 122 

AMERICAN  PARKS. 

Public  pleasure-grounds  of  Chicago 127 

The  public  grounds  of  Washington 129 

The  parks  of  Boston 134 

A  school  of  arboriculture  the  need  of  the  times 137 

The  parks  of  St.  Louis 141 

The  parks  of  Philadelphia 142 

The  parks  of  Brooklyn 148 

The  parks  of  Buffalo 155 

The  parks  of  Baltimore,  San  Francisco  and  Savannah 156 

THE  PARKS  OF  EUROPE. 

Pleasure-grounds  of  London — Twenty-two  thousand  acres 161 

Parks  of  Paris — One  hundred  and  seventy-two  thousand  acres 168 

The  parks  of  Vienna 178 

The  parks  of  Berlin 180- 

The  parks  of  Dublin. 183 

The  parks  of  Amsterdam / 184 

The  parks  of  Brussels 185 

Parks  of  Japan — Pleasure-grounds  of  the  ( 'ity  of  Tokio 189 

Conclusion — A^ea  of  lands  recommended  for  parks  and  parkways 198 

Engineer's  Report 209- 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS, 


Map  Showing  the  Sites  Selected  for  the  Proposed  Parks,  and 
THE  Topographical  Character  op  the  Land. 

VAN  CORTLANDT  PARK.  page. 

Parade  Ground Frontispiece. 

Van  Cortlandt  Mansion— Washington's  Headquarters  in  1781  and  1783.     11 

View  of  Palisades  from  Vault  Hill 17 

Northern  end  of  the  lake 23 

Old  mill  of  the  Revolution  and  ancient  elms , .     29 

THE  BRONX  PARK. 

On  the  Heights  above  the  river 35 

The  Cascade 41 

Sylvan  Point 51 

Delancey's  Ancient  Pine. .  .    59 

The  Woodland  Mirror 67 

The  Trout  Pool 75 

The  River  Glade 83 

In  the  Woods 91 

The  Lorillard  Mansion 99 

ST.  MARY'S  PARK. 

Northeast  view 107 

Southeast  view 115 

Northwest  view 123 

East  view 131 

CROTONA  PARK. 

Entrance  to  Park — North  view 1 39 

Entrance  to  Park — South  view 145 

The  Grove 151 

The  Dell 157 


6 


PELHAM  BAY  PARK.  page. 

From  Pelham  Bridge,  looking-  southerly 163 

From  Prospect  Hill,  looking  westward 169 

From  Hunter's  Island,  looking  south 175 

From  Bartow's,  looking  south    181 

From  Hunter's  Island,  looking  easterly 187 

East  Chester  Bay  south  of  Pelham  Bridge 193 

View  of  Upland 199 

Picnic  Point 205 

Map  of  Wooyeno ^ 215 


The  Appointment  and  Work  of  the 
Commission, 


To    THE    HONOKABLE    THE    LEGISLATURE    OF     THE     StATE    OF 

New  York  : 

In  compliance  with  tlie  provisions  of  the  act  of  your 
Honorable  Bodies,  passed  April  19, 1883,  "  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  Commissioners  to  select  and  locate  lands  for  Public 
Parks  in  the  Twenty-third  and  Twenty-fourth  Wards,  and 
the  vicinity  thereof,''  the  undersigned  respectfully  report, 
that  immediately  after  their  appointment  by  the  Hon. 
Franklin  Edson,  Mayor  of  the  City  of  New  York,  and  con- 
firmation by  the  Board  of  Aldermen  on  the  1st  of  May  fol- 
lowing, they  entered  upon  the  performance  of  the  duties 
assigned. 

Aware  of  the  great  importance  and  responsibility  of  the 
work  with  the  performance  of  which  they  were  charged,  its 
effects  on  the  progress  and  growth  of  our  metropolis,  and 
the  sanitary  welfare  of  its  people,  your  Commission  took 
the  necessary  steps  to  obtain  all  the  information  accessible 
on  the  subject  of  public  parks,  not  alone  in  the  United 
States,  but  in  the  Old  World  as  well,  the  principal  cities  of 
which  are  celebrated  for  the  extent,  the  number  and  beauty 
of  their  gardens,  their  parks,  and  other  public  grounds 
devoted  to  the  physical  recreation  and  social  enjoy- 
ment of  their  inhabitants.  To  obtain  the  required  data, 
they    entered    into    correspondence    with    the    municipal 


8 

authorities  of  London,  Paris,  Vienna,  Berlin,  Dublin,  Am- 
sterdam, Brussels,  and  other  European  capitals,  also  with 
the  Governor  of  Tokio,  Japan,  and  to  the  prompt  courtesy 
of  these  officials  they  are  indebted  for  much  of  the  infor- 
mation embodied  in  this  report.  They  are  also  indebted 
for  the  facts  in  relation  to  the  parks  of  Philadelphia,  Chi- 
cago, St.  Louis,  Boston,  Buffalo,  Baltimore,  Brooklyn, 
Washington,  Savannah  and  San  Francisco  to  the  kindness 
of  the  officials  of  those  cities. 


Importance  of  Information  Relating  to  Parks. 

The  purpose  of  your  Commission,  in  the  collection  of 
this  information,  was  to  present  in  as  brief  a  space 
as  the  importance  of  the  subject  would  permit,  such 
evidence  as  would  show  by  contrast  with  other  cities  the 
deficiency  of  New  York  in  the  vitally  important  matter 
of  public  pleasure-grounds.  The  municipal  authorities  of 
the  great  centres  of  wealth  and  population  in  Europe  have 
justly  regarded  this  subject  as  deserving  of  their  special 
consideration,  and  viewing  it  from  the  highest  standpoint 
as  affecting  not  only  the  physical  well-being  of  the  people, 
but  their  moral  and  social  welfare,  they  have  made  the 
most  liberal  provision  in  the  extent  of  land  devoted 
to  their  use  and  for  its  proper  management  and  main- 
tenance. 

A  new  interest  has  been  imparted  to  the  subject  by  the 
movement  inaugurated  a  little  more  than  two  years  ago  by 
the  New  York  Park  Association,  composed  of  a  number  of 
public-spirited  citizens,  whose  attention,  having  been 
called  to  this  deficiency,  organized  a  society  for  an  increase 
in  the  number  and  extent  of  public  pleasure  grounds  of  the 
metropolis.  In  this  movement  they  have  been  encouraged  by 
the  approval  which  they  have  received  from  all  sides, 
and  particularly  by  the    cordial    support    so  generously 


given  by  the  press.  The  whole  country  has,  indeed,  mani- 
fested a  warm  and  active  interest  in  the  liberal  appropri- 
a<tion  of  suitable  tracts  of  land  for  the  recreation  and  health 
of  the  people,  and  for  the  cultivation  of  the  public  taste. 

International,    National,   State    and  Metropolitan 

Parks. 

The  United  States  and  Canada  have  united  in  the  forma- 
tion of  an  International  Park  at  Niagara,  thus  inaugurating 
a  new  era  in  the  history  of  nations.  Our  Federal  Govern- 
ment has  reserved  as  pleasure  domains  for  'the  people  two 
tracts  of  magnificent  extent  and  grandeur  unsurpassed,  the 
Yosemite  and  the  Yellowstone.  The  State  of  New  York  is 
to  be  sponsor  for  a  State  park,  imposing,  beautiful,  un- 
precedented, embracing  the  multitudinous  summits  of  the 
Adirondacks  and  an  area  of  vast  extent.  There  can  be  no 
doubt  that  these  wonderlands  will,  within  a  few  years,  when 
they  shall  have  been  enclosed,  adorned,  interpenetrated 
with  roads  and  policed,  become  the  attractive  resorts  of 
visitors  from  every  part  of  the  civilized  world.  It  remains 
for  the  City  of  New  York  to  do  its  part  in  this  great  and 
most  useful  movement.  Indeed  the  subject  for  the  first 
time  rises  into  such  importance  as  to  assume  a  place  in 
history,  and  in  a  recent  work  of  uncommon  merit,*  which 
enumerates  the  progress  of  America  for  the  last  hundred 
years  and  forecasts  its  glorious  future,  it  is  said  : 
"  When  that  city  (New  York)  had  outgrown  the  ideas  of  its 
inhabitants  of  the  first  half  of  the  present  century,  the 
necessity  of  a  large  park  demanded  serious  attention,  and 
before  it  became  too  late  a  tract  of  864  acres  was  reserved 
in  the  then  upper  portion  of  the  city  and  secured,  which 
not  long  afterward  was  laid  out  and  embellished  with  taste 
and  beauty,  and  became  the   chief  attraction   of   the  com- 

Lester'a  United  States. 


10 


mercial  capital  of  the  western  world.  The  result  far 
exceeded  the  expectations  or  even  the  hopes  of  its  pro- 
jectors, and  it  led  to  other  and  broader  plans.  At  length, 
when  the  bounds  of  the  city  were  vastly  enlarged  by  the 
annexation  of  a  broad  territory  toward  the  North — the 
only  direction  in  which  it  could  expand,  being  restricted 
by  the  East  river  and  the  lordly  Hudson — our  leading 
citizens  united  in  a  park  association  to  promote  the  acqui- 
sition of  a  large  area  for  one  or  more  public  pleasure- 
grounds  which  would  correspond  with  the  wants  of  a  city 
to  whose  growth  no  possible  limits  during  one  or  two 
hundred  years  could  be  assigned  within  some  millions  of 
inhabitants." 

With  such  a  future,  with  such  possibilities,  with  almost 
unlimited  resources  at  its  command,  with  a  territory  no 
longer  pent  up  between  narrow  bounds,  with  lands  whose 
varied  and  picturesque  attractions  of  forest,  meadow,  hill, 
glen,  rock  and  lake  and  stream  are  unsurpassed,  New 
York  possesses,  in  her  newly  annexed  territory,  opportuni- 
ties for  the  creation  of  parks  unequalled  by  any  other  city 
in  the  world.  This  much  can  in  justice  be  said  by  your 
Commission,  after  a  thorough  examination  and  inspection  of 
that  section  of  the  city  bounded  on  the  south  by  the  Harlem 
river,  on  the  east  by  the  Bronx  and  the  region  on  the 
Sound  which,  it  seems  probable,  will  ere  long  be  added  to 
the  city,  on  the  west  by  the  Hudson,  and  on  the  north  by 
the  County  of  Westchester.  To  this  portion  of  their  report 
more  attention  and  space  is  given  hereafter. 

The  Public  Demand  for  Larger  Breathing-Places 
AND  Playgrounds. 

Having  effected  their  organization  by  the  election  of 
their  ofHcers,  and  the  appointment  of  Gen.  J.  C.  Lane  as 
surveyor,  tlio  Commission  announced  througli  the  daily 
press  that  public  meetings  would  be  held,  at  which  ample 


18 


opportunity  would  be  given  for  a  hearing  to  all  who  desired 
to  present  their  views  or  to  offer  suggestions  in  relation 
to  the  proposed  extension  of  the  park  area  of  the  city,  the 
location  of  sites,  the  recommendation  of  particular  tracts  of 
land  and  such  other  considerations  as  properly  belonged 
to  the  question  before  the  Commission.  Several  such 
meetings  were  held  in  the  City  Hall,  and  correspondence 
was  freely  invited  from  parties  interested  in  the  subject. 
Of  some  fifty  speakers  who  addressed  your  Commission,, 
not  one  expressed  himself  in  opposition  to  the  general 
proposition  ;  but  on  the  contrary,  all  were  in  favor  of  the 
enlargement  of  the  area  of  the  parks  of  the  city,  the  only 
point  of  difference  being  as  to  the  selection  of  the  land. 
Local  interests  demanded  j^^i'ks  in  particular  sections, 
and  while  the  majority  evidently  regarded  the  subject  from 
a  metropolitan  standpoint,  favoring  two  or  more  large 
parks,  others  advocated  the  distribution  of  the  proposed 
increase  in  the  form  of  many  and  smaller  parks  or  squares. 
Your  Commission  gave  to  these  divergent  and  conflicting 
views  impartial  consideration,  and  while  they  felt  that  they 
were  acting  for  and  represented  the  city  at  large,  they 
considered  that  they  were  also  bound  to  give  due  weight 
to  the  arguments  presented  by  the  representatives  of  the 
different  localities.  In  reaching  a  conclusion  as  to  loca- 
tion and  area  they  have  been  governed  wholly  by 
questions  of  economy,  suitability  and  accessibility. 
In  the  selection  of  sites  for  the  larger  parks,  the 
necessity  of  making  ample  provision  for  the  needs  of  our 
National  Guard  has  been  recognized  and  taken  into 
account.  The  conclusions  which  have  been  reached  on 
this  important  point  they  feel  satisfied,  for  the  reasons  set 
forth  in  another  portion  of  this  report,  will  meet  with  the 
approval  of  the  public  and  the  favorable  action  of  your 
HonoraVjle  Bodies. 


14 


Foresight  of  De  Witt  Clinton  when  Mayor  of  New 

York— Park  Reservations  in  1809— A  Grand 

Opportunity  Lost. 

Three-quarters  of  a  century  ago,  when  New  York  had 
less  than  one  hundred  thousand  inhabitants  and  Four- 
teenth street  was  in  the  country,  the  city  fathers  of  that 
time,  with  a  wise  prevision  of  the  future  greatness  of  the 
metropolis,  planned  a  system  of  parks  which,  if  carried  out 
to-day  on  the  same  liberal  scale,  would  give  us  a  total  park 
area  of  seven  thousand  five  hundred  acres. 

On  a  map  of  the  city  of  1809,  in  which  the  street  plan 
was  laid  out,  your  Commission  found  various  tracts  of 
land  of  different  dimensions  set  apart  as  public  grounds 
for  the  recreation  of  the  people.  Nearly  all  of  those  have 
been  erased  from  subsequent  maps,  and  as  the  largest,  com- 
prising about  two  hundred  acres,  was  located  in  what  is  at 
present  one  of  the  most  valuable  sections  of  New  York,  the 
city  may  be  said  to  have  lost  by  the  unpardonable  negligence 
of  its  officials  in  failing  to  secure  the  land  in  time  and  wJien 
it  could  have  been  acquired  for  probably  much  less  than  a 
million  of  dollars,  hundreds  of  millions. 

Of  nearly  five  hundred  acres  which  are  shown  on  the  map 
as  reserved  for  park  purposes  the  tract  referred  to  and  en- 
titled The  Parade  Ground,  embraced  the  whole  space  bound- 
ed by  Twenty-third  and  Thirty-fourth  streets  and  Third  and 
Seventh  avenues.  Of  this  magnificent  space,  worth  to-day 
hundreds  of  millions,  there  remain  0)}hj  the  six  and  a  half 
acres  of  Madison  Square.  Had  this  property  been  bought 
at  the  time  it  was  placed  on  the  map  of  the  city  what  a 
valuable  mine  it  would  have  proved,  what  a  sinking  fund  it 
would  Ih'ivo  formed  as  a  means  of  defraying  the  expense 
of  needed  ])ublic  works  and  lessening  the  burdens  of  tax- 
payers !     Tiiis  part  of  the  city,  as  stated,  is  one  of  its  most 


15 


valuable  sections,  worth  hundreds  of  millions  of  dollars, 
and  yet  the  public  treasury  is  to-day  not  one  dollar  the 
richer  therefor.  Had  it  been  bought  and  held  as  public 
land  and  a  portion  of  it  sold  when  the  growth  of  population 
and  the  imperative  demands  and  necessities  of  business  com- 
pelled, the  ,public  treasury  would  have  been  the  gainer  by 
untold  millions.  Is  this  short-sighted  policy  to  be  repeated 
in  the  new  domain  which  has  become  a  part  of  the  great 
metropolis  ?  Will  we  with  the  invaluable  experience  which 
this  lesson  teaches,  be  guilty  of  the  same  criminal  negli- 
gence, the  same  culpable  indifference  ? 

The  park  system  of  1809  presented  a  striking  evidence 
of  the  foresight  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  the  conceiver  and  arti- 
ficer of  our  great  canal,  and  whose  genius  saw  the  inevitable 
as  plainly  in  our  city  as  in  our  State.  That  canal  found 
Ne-A^  York  State  with  a  population  very  little  more  than 
she  possessed  at  the  beginning  of  the  century,  when  it 
numbered  589,051  inhabitants — less  than  Pennsylvania, 
and  about  two-thirds  that  of  Virginia  which  had  880,200. 
But  Clinton,  availing  himself  of  the  only  break  in  the  moun- 
tain range  from  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Georgia,  enabled  our 
State  to  use  its  possibilities,  so  that  in  1875,  while  Virginia 
had  only  increased  90  per  cent,  in  the  century,  Ner  York 
during  the  same  time  had  advanced  702  per  cent. 

Had  the  wise  provision  of  De  W^itt  Clinton  in  the  matter 
of  our  public  parks  been  carried  into  effect,  as  was  done  in 
the  case  of  the  great  water  way  between  the  Hudson  and 
Lake  Erie,  we  would  to-day  be  far  in  advance  of  every 
other  city  in  the  United  States,  instead  of  being  the  last 
on  the  list.  The  great  park  of  1809,  was,  considering  the 
difference  in  population,  equal  to-day  to  an  area  of  three 
thousand  acres,  which  should  be  the  extent  of  Central 
Park,  if  considered  in  its  relative  proportion  to  the  present 
number  of  inhabitants. 


16 

The  other  parks  of  New  York  laid  out  at  the  period 
referred  to  were  : 

Market  Place,  extending  from  First  avenue  to  the  river 
beyond  Avenue  D,  and  from  Seventh  street  to  Tenth  street 
— an  area  of  about  seventy  acres. 

Harlem  Marsh,  included  within  Fifth  avenue  and  the 
East  river,  some  hundred  feet  beyond  First  avenue  and  One 
Hundred  and  Sixth  and  One  Hundred  and  Ninth  streets, 
containing  about  sixty-seven  acres. 

Elgin  Garden,  having  an  area  of  fourteen  acres,  em- 
braced within  the  limits  of  Fifth  and  Sixth  avenues  and 
Forty-seventh  and  Fifty-first  streets. 

Harlem  Square,  extending  from  Sixth  to  Seventh  avenue, 
and  from  One  Hundred  and  Seventeenth  to  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-first  street,  covering  twenty  acres. 

Hamilton  Square,  bounded  by  Sixty-sixth  and  Sixty- 
eighth  streets  and  Third  and  Fifth  avenues,  and  containing 
eighteen  acres. 

Observatory  Square,  having  an  area  of  twenty-six  acres, 
embraced  within  Fourth  and  Fifth  avenues  and  Eighty- 
ninth  and  Ninety-fourth  streets. 

Bloomingdale  Square,  about  twenty  acres,  and  bounded 
by  Eighth  and  Ninth  avenues  and  Seventy-seventh  and 
Eighty -first  streets. 

There  were  besides  these  another  square  which  con- 
tained over  tw(^nty  acres,  and  was  located  between  Second 
avenue  and  tlie  East  river  and  Twenty-fifth  and  Twenty- 
eighth  streets,  and  other  grounds  of  less  extent,  but  witli 
an  aggregate  area  of  at  least  thirty  additional  acres. 

The  total  area  of  all  the  parks  laid  out  on  the  map  of 
1809,  under  the  administration  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  was 
abont  four  liundred  and  eighty  acres,  or  one  acre  to  every 
two  hundred  and  one  inhabitants,  whicJi  i)roportion  if 
a])pli('(l  to  tlie  ])r<isent  population,  wonhl  give  us  now  in  tlie 
year  1881,  just  three  (quarters  oi  a   century  since  the  great 


19 


statesman  mapped  out  the  parks  for  liis  day,  seven  thous- 
and FIVE  HUNDRED  ACRES  ;  and  even  with  this  great  area  we 
would  be  behind  London  and  Paris. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  extent  of  land  embraced  within 
the  sites  selected  by  your  Commission,  that  the  various 
tracts  recommended  contain  only  one-half  this  area  and 
with  the  parks  now  in  existence,  the  whole  park  territory 
of  the  city  will  not  amount  to  two-thirds  of  what  it  should 
be  were  we  to  follow  the  example  and  adopt  the  broad- 
minded  views  and  statesmanlike  policy  of  one  of  the 
greatest  of  New  York's  Mayors  and  Governors. 

The  neglect  of  the  city  authorities  of  that  time  to  secure 
the  land  indicated  on  the  map  of  1809  for  parks,  was 
repeated  about  a  quarter  of  a  century  later  in  a  somewhat 
similar  instance  and  to  the  serious  detriment  of  the  city's 
interests.  When  the  late  Judge  Ingraham  was  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  he  introduced  a  resolution  to 
make  Fourth  avenue  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  wide,  to 
construct  an  avenue  one  hundred  feet  in  width  through  the 
Bowery  to  Broad  street  and  to  devote  this  thoroughfare  to 
the  railroads  and  commerce  of  the  city.  His  idea  was 
treated  as  chimerical ;  he  himself  was  regarded  as  a 
visionary,  and  this  excellent  project,  which  to-day  would 
be  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  business  public  and  of 
the  greatest  value  as  a  means  of  facilitating  rapid  transit, 
failed  through  the  Avant  of  a  proper  appreciation  of  the 
future  of  New  York. 

Since  then  the  city  has  granted  franchises  for  two 
tracks,  and  has  paid  upwards  of  three  millions  of  dollars 
,in  cash  to  secure  far  less  facilities  from  the  Harlem  river 
to  Forty-second  street,  below  which  point  no  provision 
whatever  exists  for  facilitating  the  trade  of  the  metropolis. 

Other  illustrations  might  be  given  where  the  plans  of 
far-sighted  men,  who  had  a  better,  though  yet  dim  and 
inadequate   conception  of  the  great  future  of  New  York, 


20 

were  rejected  ;  plans  which,  if  they  had  received  the  con- 
sideration to  which  they  were  entitled,  would  have  added 
millions  annually  to  the  revenue  of  the  city  from  the  ter- 
minal charges  on  its  trade.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  no 
such  short-sighted  policy  will  be  permitted  to  prevail  in 
the  present  instance. 

The  Present  Park  Area  of  New  York. 

The  remarkable  contrast  presented  between  the  park 
area  of  New  York  and  the  territory  set  apart  for  the  recrea- 
tion of  their  respective  populations  by  the  great  capitals  of 
the  world,  becomes  strikingly  manifest  on  a  comparison  of 
the  official  figures.  This  contrast  becomes  still  more  strik- 
ing when  the  statistics  of  population  are  taken  into  the 
account.  Thus,  while  New  York  stands  third  on  the 
census  list  of  the  great  centres  of  the  civilized  world,  and 
must  eventually  be  the  first,  she  occupies  the  lowest  posi- 
tion in  the  acreage  of  her  public  parks.  In  this  important 
respect  she  is  behind  even  the  second  and  third  class 
cities  of  Europe,  while  there  are  at  least  half  a  dozen  in 
the  United  States  that  have  within  a  few  years  surpassed 
her  in  the  extent  of  the  land  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the 
people. 

Since  the  Central  Park  was  established,  thirty  years 
ago,  the  addition  made  to  the  park  area  of  New  York  is  less 
than  two  hundred  acres,  while  her  population  has  trebled. 
In  the  laying  out  of  the  newly  annexed  district,  which 
comprises  the  Twenty-third  and  Twenty-fourth  Wards, 
certain  tracts  were  indicated  on  the  maps  as  the  sites  of 
future  parks,  but  the  total  area  thus  marked  did  not  exceed 
four  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  and  only  a  small  portion 
of  tliis  land  has  been  *'  condemned  "  or  obtained  for  the 
purposes  of  public  domain.  It  is  true  that  a  parkway  has 
also  been  oHtal)lished  in  the  Twenty-fourth  Ward,  but  this 


21 


is,   of  course,  mainly  a  thoroughfare,   and  cannot,   in  any 
sense,  be  regarded  as  a  substitute  for  a  park. 

It  is  very  evident,  then,  that  if  our  metropolis  is  to 
occupy  her  proper  position  among  the  capitals  of  the  civil- 
ized world,  no  time  is  to  be  lost  in  making  the  necessary 
provision  for  the  enlargement  of  the  area  of  her  public 
grounds. 

When  Central  Park  was  created,  New  York,  then 
confined  to  its  island  boundaries,  had  a  population  of  six 
hundred  thousand,  and  in  parks  and  squares  an  aggregate, 
including  its  then  recent  great  addition,  of  about  nine  hun- 
dred and  fifty  acres.  Since  that  time,  as  stated,  less  than  two 
hundred  have  been  added,  and  this  tract  was  south  of  the 
Harlem,  and  consisted  of  Morningside,  Riverside  and  Mount 
Morris  parks.  A  very  large  portion  of  the  surface  of  the 
first  two  was  rock,  requiring  for  their  completion  a  heavy 
outlay.  The  following  list  affords  the  most  conclusive 
proof  that  could  be  given  of  our  great  deficiency  in  a  mat- 
ter vital  to  the  physical  well-being  of  our  population. 
With  regard  to  the  Central,  it  should  be  stated  here  that 
over  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  are  taken  up  with  the 
receiving  and  distributing  reservoirs  : 

Acres. 

Central  Park 864 

Riverside  Park 89 

Morningside  Park 31| 

Mount  Morris  Park 20 

High  Bridge         "      23 

The  Battery          "      21 

Tompkins              "      lOJ 

City  Hall               "     8^ 

Washington           "      8 

Union                      ''      3i 

Madison                 "     6.^        ' 

Reservoir               " 4| 

Stuy  vesant            "     4^ 

1,094 


22 


Here  we  have  a  total  of  about  eleven  hundred  acres 
south  of  the  Harlem  river,  while  north  of  it,  in  a  territory 
of  about  equal  extent,  the  park  area  indicated  on  the  map 
of  that  section  is  less  than  half  that  amount,  and  of  this,  title 
has  been  acquired  to  less  than  one-fifth.  In  the  mean  time 
values  have  advanced  and  will  continue  to  advance,  though 
not  with  the  rapidity  which  is  certain  to  follow  the  estab- 
lishment of  parks  now  so  urgently  demanded  by  the  inter- 
ests of  the  metropolis. 

At  the  date  of  the  passage  of  the  Central  Park  bill,  the 
park  area  of  the  city  was  equal  to  about  one  acre  to  every 
six  hundred  and  thirty  inhabitants ;  to-day  it  is  still  less, 
showing  that  instead  of  advancing  we  have  greatly  retro- 
graded. In  place  of  one  acre  to  every  six  hundred  and 
thirty  inhabitants,  it  is  now  one  acre  to  every  thirteen 
hundred  and  sixty-three. 

A  Striking  Contrast. 

If  we  should  decide  that  our  park  area  must  equal  that 
of  1853  in  its  proportion  to  the  then  population  of  our 
city,  we  should  add  at  least  three  thousand  acres  to  its 
present  area.  But  the  reasons  become  still  stronger  in 
favor  of  the  proposed  increase  when  we  compare  our 
metropolis  with  other  cities  both  in  the  old  and  new  world. 
The  extent  of  park  territory  embraced  within  the  municipal- 
ities of  London,  Paris,  Vienna,  Berlin,  Brussels,  Dublin, 
Amsterdam  and  the  City  of  Tokio,  Japan,  is  presented  in 
another  part  of  this  report,  and  we  refer  to  the  statistics 
now  for  the  jjurpose  of  contrasting  the  park  area  in  each 
instance  with  their  respective  populations  as  compared 
with  the  present  status  of   New  York  in  this  regard. 

Those  who  imagine  that  we  kept  pace  with  tlie  rest  of 
tli(i  world  in  this  particular  department  of  progress  will  be 
amaz(Hl  at  our  shortcomings  and  the  seeming  apathy  and 
indif?er«uic(>  exhibited  in  a  matter  of  such  serious  import  to 


25 


the  public  health.  Since  it  is  admitted  that  pure  air  alone 
will  not  suffice  for  the  sanitary  well-being  of  the  people, 
and  that  physical  exercise  is  also  essential,  there  can  be  no 
room  for  question  as  to  the  necessity  for  more  open  spaces; 
in  a  word,  for  more  and  larger  lungs  for  the  city.  The  fol- 
lowing figures  speak  for  themselves.  They  show  how 
deficient  New  York  really  is,  and  how  far  we  have  lagged 
behind  in  the  extension  of  our  park  area  : 


Population. 

New  York 1,500,000 

London 4,500,000 

Paris 2,250,000 

Vienna 800,000 

Berlin  1,174,293 

Dublin 366,000 

Brussels 350,000 

Amsterdam   ....    .  350,000 

Tokio 1,000,000 

Philadelphia 900,000 

Chicago 600,000 

Washington 150,000 

St.  Louis 350,000 

Boston 400,000 

Brooklyn 600,000 

Buffalo 160.000 

Savannah 33,000 

Baltimore 400,000 

San  Francisco 250,000 


One  Acre 

Acres  in  Parks. 

to  Every 

1,094 

1,363  inh, 

22,000 

205  " 

172,000 

13  '* 

8,000 

100  " 

5,000 

235  " 

2,000 

183  '' 

1,000 

350  " 

800 

437  - 

6,000 

167  " 

3,000 

300  " 

3,000 

200  " 

1,000 

150  - 

2,100 

167  *' 

2,100 

190  - 

940 

639  " 

620 

258  '' 

60 

550  - 

776.i 

515  '' 

1,181 

211  '^ 

Such  an  exhibit  may  well  astonish  those  who  are  not 
conversant  w^ith  the  facts,  and  who  have  supposed  that 
New  York's  great  park  placed  her,  at  least,  upon  an 
equality  with  other  cities.  But,  as  we  have  stated,  little 
has   been   done    since    it   was    established,  although   year 


26 


bj  year  it  has  become  more  and  more  apparent  that  it  was 
wholly  inadequate  to  the  needs  of  our  increasing  popu- 
lation. 

Excessive  Mortality  of  New  York,  and  its  Prolific 

Causes. 

Probably  no  stronger  arguments  could  be  advanced  as 
to  the  urgency  of  this  matter  than  the  statistics  of  mor- 
tality published  by  the  New  York  Health  Department, 
and  which  establishes  the  painful  fact  that  our  death  rate 
is  greater  than  that  of  the  principal  cities  of  Europe  and 
of  our  own  country.  While  New  York's  death  rate  is  29.64 
to  every  thousand  inhabitants,  that  of  London  is  21.29  ; 
of  Paris,  26.27;  of  Berlin,  25.96  ;  of  Baltimore,  21.84  ;  of 
Boston,  23.42  ;  and  of  San  Francisco,  21.68.  There  can  be 
no  doubt  that  this  excessive  mortality  is  in  a  great  degree 
attributable  to  our  pernicious  tenement-house  system,  to 
that  criminal  herding  of  people  in  those  huge  death-trcrps 
in  which  the  air  is  literally  poisoned  through  defective 
plumbing  and  drainage,  striking  down  the  young  and  the 
old,  the  strong  and  the  weak  without  distinction.  Here  pes- 
tilential diseases  have  their  origin,  from  hence  they  spread, 
threatening  to  involve  in  a  common  fate  the  healthier 
and  wealthier  portions  of  the  city.  Here,  in  the  closely 
packed  dwellings  of  the  workers  and  toilers,  death  reaps 
his  richest  harvests,  particularly  among  the  very  young. 

In  the  summer  heats,  intensified  in  these  localities  by 
the  absence  of  ventilation  and  the  over-crowded  condition 
of  the  apartments,  the  air  is  stifling,  and  the  occupants 
seek  relief  on  the  roofs  or  the  sidewalks,  where,  as  reported 
in  th(i  city  press,  thousands  are  to  be  found  during  the 
liot,  sultry  nights  of  the  summer  season.  The  mortality 
among  the  young,  owing  to  the  causes  stated,  far  exceeds 
that  of  aiiv  of  the  cities  named.     Of   the   deaths    in   New 


York  in  1882,  numbering  37,924,  no  less  than  17,520  were 
children  under  five  years  of  age,  a  little  less  than  one-half 
of  the  whole  number,  while  in  Paris  the  proportion  was 
below  one-third,  in  London  and  other  European  cities  a 
little  more,  and  in  Boston,  Baltimore,  Cincinnati  and  San 
Francisco  a  like  ratio.  This  disparity,  however,  in  the 
death  rate  will  cease  to  surprise  when  the  packing  pro- 
cess which  is  practised  in  the  densely  populated  sections 
is  fully  understood. 

In  a  report  of  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  city,  pub- 
lished by  the  "  Council  of  Hygiene  and  Public  Health," 
some  years  ago  (and  there  has  been  "  little,  if  any,  improve- 
ment since,"  as  shown  by  the  statistics  of  mortality),  it  is 
stated  that  the  results  of  a  sanitary  survey  of  the  Fourth 
Ward  showed  that  the  population  was  packed  at  the  rate  of 
two  hundred  and  forty  thousand  to  the  square  mile.  '*  As 
now  distributed,"  the  report  proceeds,  "the  tenant  houses 
of  the  city  are  nearly  all  found  within  an  area  of  four  square 
miles.  ^  ^  *  Such  concentration  and  packing  of  a 
population  has  probably  never  been  equalled  in  any  city 
as  may  be  found  in  particular  localities  in  New  York.  In 
some  entire  districts,  as  in  the  Fourth,  Sixth,  and  portions 
of  the  Eleventh  and  Seventeenth  Wards,  the  density  of  the 
population  is  far  greater  than  in  any  parish  or  ward  in 
London,  or  any  other  European  city  of  which  we  have  defi- 
nite knowledge.'' 

In  a  report  of  the  number  of  tenement  houses,  and 
families  occupying  apartments  therein,  made  by  the  Health 
Board  in  1881,  for  Mr.  Charles  E.  Hill,  Chief  Special  Agent 
of  the  United  States  Census,  it  is  stated  that  the  total 
number  of  persons  living  in  those  dwellings  was  962,172, 
or  two-thirds  of  the  whole  population  of  New  Y^ork. 


28 


Hygienic  Effects  of  Parks. 

It  may  be  asked,  What  have  these  statistics  to  do  with 
the  question  before  this  Commission.  The  answer  is,  we 
think,  obvious  and  conclusive.  Parks,  rightly  considered, 
are  demanded  among  great  masses  of  population  by  the 
laws  of  hygiene,  by  the  very  necessities  of  their  condition, 
by  their  deprivation  night  and  day,  and  month  after  month, 
through  all  seasons,  of  the  pure  air  of  heaven,  except  w^hen 
on  Sundays  and  holidays  they  are  at  liberty  to  enjoy  them- 
selves in  the  green  fields,  or  out  in  the  woods,  cleansing  their 
lungs  with  the  pure  life-giving  atmosphere.  Even  one 
day's  recreation  in  the  country  strengthens  the  body  and 
helps  it  to  resist  the  approach  of  infectious  diseases. 
Sun  and  air  are  as  necessary  to  human  beings  as  to  plants, 
and  to  none  are  they  more  necessary  than  to  the  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  workers  and  toilers  who  are  shut  up  all 
day  long  and,  at  times,  through  a  part  of  the  night,  in  our 
factories  and  workshops.  That  our  death  rate  should 
exceed  that  of  other  cities  need,  therefore,  all  things 
considered,  excite  no  surprise. 

"  The  necessity,"  says  Mr.  Kussel  Thayer,  the  able  and 
experienced  Superintendent  of  Fairmount  Park,  "  of  pro- 
viding some  place  where  the  people  can  take  recreation, 
breathe  the  fresh  air  uncontaminated  by  the  smoke  and 
gases  of  the  city,  and  see  the  green  grass  and  the  growing 
trees,  is  so  universally  acknowledged  throughout  the  civil- 
ized world  that  at  the  present  day  there  are  but  few  cities 
of  any  importance  in  Europe  that  have  not  their  public 
pleasure  grounds  or  parks." 

The  duty  of  those  who  are  charged  with  the  responsi- 
bility of  government  is  clear  and  unmistakable.  If  hospi- 
tals are  indispensable  for  the  cure  of  sickness  and  disease, 
then  certainly  no  less  so  are  the  means  for  the  preservation 
of  the  public  liealtli.     If  bathing  in  clear  water  is  essential, 


31 


still  more  so  is  an  atmospheric  bath.  In  a  word,  we  cannot 
hope  to  have  a  healthy  population  if  we  disregard  the 
ordinary  laws  of  health.  Sun,  light,  air  and  physical  exer- 
cise are  the  true  hygienic  factors,  and,  therefore,  everj^  acre 
added  to  our  park  area  is  a  personal  benefit  to  each  mem- 
ber of  the  community.  It  is  not  for  the  mere  ornamenta- 
tion of  the  metropolis,  though  that  in  itself  is  a  high 
recommendation,  that  parks  are  desired,  but  as  great  sani- 
tariums, as  essential  parts  of  a  system  which  embraces 
within  it  the  drainage  of  cities,  the  ventilations  of  dwell- 
ings, and  the  establishment  of  institutions  for  the  care  of 
the  sick  and  the  afflicted, 

The  Question  of  accessibility  to  Suburban  Pleasure 

Grounds. 

On  Sundays  and  holidays  during  the  late  spring  and 
through  the  summer  and  fall,  the  parks  would  be  thronged 
by  tens  of  thousands  of  visitors,  of  all  ages  and  conditions, 
seeking  healthful  exercise,  pure  air,  the  pleasant  sight  of 
the  green  fields,  and  the  refreshing  shade  of  the  leafy 
woods.  The  objection  that  these  parks  are  too  far  from 
the  most  populous  parts  of  the  city,  and  that  they  would 
remain  unused  for  many  years,  is  sufficiently  answered  by 
the  fact  that  trains  on  the  elevated  roads  are  packed  with 
masses  of  humanity  on  their  Avay  to  the  vicinity  of  High 
Bridge,  and  to  resorts  still  more  distant,  while  the  steam- 
boats that  ply  up  and  down  the  two  great  rivers,  and  those 
that  run  to  Eockaway,  Coney  Island,  Glen  Island  and  other 
points  of  attraction  are  crowded  to  their  utmost  capacity. 

Central  Park  has  long  ceased  to  meet  the  needs  of  the 
people,  and  as  a  pleasure-ground  it  can  hardly  be  said  to 
satisfy  the  public  desire.  Of  its  many  attractions,  its 
picturesque  views,  its  admirable  design,  its  artificial 
decorations,  there  can  be  but  one  opinion ;  but  inasmuch 
as  the  public  is  confined  to  a  comparatively  limited  portion 


32 


of  its  space,  it  fails  of  its  original  purpose,  and  rural  or 
suburban  parks  are,  therefore,  a  metropolitan  necessity.  It 
has  been  said,  with  much  force,  that  "  the  prohibition  against 
the  use  of  the  lawns,  woods  and  meadows,  and  the  general 
restrictions  with  regard  to  space  render  it  as  exclusive  as 
the  domains  of  European  nobles,  in  which  the  A'isitors  are 
confined  to  the  roads  and  footpaths.  As  the  parks  are  for 
the  people,  and  as  the  healthful. recreation  of  the  visitors 
is  the  one  great  object  for  which  they  are  created,  this 
consideration  should  be  made  paramount  over  all  others 
in  their  management."  The  people  want  recreation 
grounds  where  they  are  not  confined  to  dusty  walks,  but 
where  they  can  stroll  at  will,  wander  in  woods,  rest  or 
picnic  on  the  grass,  and  enjoy  the  freedom  of  unrestricted 
use. 

Admitting,  however,  that  the  objection  as  to  distance 
has  some  force,  how  long  will  it  continue  to  apply,  and 
how  many  years  will  it  take,  in  view  of  the  present  increase 
of  population,  and  the  extension  of  our  city  northward  and 
easterly,  the  only  directions,  as  already  stated,  in  which  it 
is  possible  for  it  to  extend,  to  bring  the  people  up  to  the 
very  borders  of  the  parks  ? 

The  mere  agitation  of  the  subject  has  turned  the  public 
attention  to  that  part  of  the  city  as  a  most  desirable  sec- 
tion for  the  erection  of  dwellings,  and  much  progress  has 
already  been  made  in  the  building  line.  The  farm  bound- 
aries are  rapidly  disappearing,  and  acres  are  being  divided 
into  city  lots.  Your  Commission  see  in  the  demand  for 
dwellings  north  of  the  Harlem  River  and  beyond  the 
boundary  line  eastward,  where  the  land,  from  its  level 
cliaracter,  is  admirably  adapted  for  building  purposes,  un- 
mistakable indications  of  the  advance  of  population  ,in 
tliat  direction.  Tlio  removal  of  the  last  legal  difficulty  to 
the  construction  of  the  Suburban  Rapid  Transit,  and  the 
erection  of  the  bridge  over  the  river  at  Second  avenue  to 


33 


connect  the  rapid  transit  systems  at  this  point  (a  work 
which  is  now  being  expeditiously  pushed  forward),  has  im- 
parted unwonted  activity  to  building  operations.  Miles  of 
new  streets  are  being  opened,  lines  of  dwellings  are  extend- 
ing to  all  points  within  the  Twenty-third  and  Twenty-fourth 
Wards,  and  by  the  time  the  available  spaces  south  of  the 
Harlem  River  shall  have  been  occupied,  a  new  city  with 
nearly  a  million  inhabitants  will  have  arisen  in  the  new 
accession. 

It  is  not  necessary,  however,  to  wait  for  the  increase  of 
population  and  the  extension  of  the  city  northward  to  ren- 
der the  parks  available.  There  are  noAV  so  many  lines  of 
communication  which  bring  them  within  easy  access  that 
the  argument  as  to  distance  has  lost  whatever  force  it  may 
have  once  had.  To  that  portion  of  our  inhabitants  who, 
during  the  summer  and  early  fall  crowd  the  various  resorts 
within  twenty,  thirty  and  even  fifty  miles  of  the  city,  mak- 
ing daily  excursions  by  rail  and  by  water,  the  question  of 
distance  is  of  but  slight  consequence.  They  simply  regard 
the  time  spent  in  going  and  returning  as  a  part  of  ihe 
day's  recreation,  and  when  they  arrive  at  their  destination 
their  pleasure  is  in  no  degree  lessened  by  the  time  they 
may  have  spent  in  getting  there.  But  to  those  who  pre- 
fer to  pass  as  much  of  their  leisure  as  possible  in  the 
parks  the  facilities  presented  by  the  various  lines  of  com- 
munication already  established,  as  Avell  as  those  projected 
and  in  contemplation,  will  make  them  more  accessible  than 
was  the  Central  Park  for  many  years  after  it  was  laid  out. 

To-day  Van  Cortlandt  Park  can  be  reached  in  an  hour 
from  the  Battery  by  the  Northern  Bailroad,  which  runs 
through  the  grounds,  while  from  the  centre  of  population 
the  time  occupied  in  making  the  trip  need  not  exceed 
three-quarters  of  an  hour  at  the  utmost.  As  through  trains 
will  eventually  be  established  the  time  will  be  still  furtner 
reduced.     By  the  Hudson  River  Railroad  from  the  Grand 


34 


Central  wliicli  runs  to  Kingsbridge  within  half  a  mile  of  its 
southern  boundary  and  by  the  Harlem  Bailroad  about  the 
same  distance  from  the  eastern  limit,  the  time  consumed 
should  not  exceed  twenty  minutes,  and  as  travel  increases, 
branch  tracks  will  be  constructed  from  both  roads  to  the 
very  borders  of  the  park  itsell 

The  Arcade  Railroad  which  proposes  to  provide  through 
travel  at  the  rate  of  thirty  miles  an  hour  from  the  Battery, 
as  well  as  way  travel,  has  projected  a  line  which  runs 
through  Broadway  to  Twenty-third  street,  passing  under 
Madison  square  and  up  Madison  avenue  to  the  Harlem 
river,  thence  through  the  Twenty-third  and  Twenty-fourth 
Wards  as  shown  on  the  map — furnishes  additional  rapid 
transit  to  the  Van  Cortlandt  Park. 

The  Bronx  Park  is  accessible  by  the  Southern  Boule- 
vard, within  twenty  minutes  of  the  Harlem  river,  by  the 
Portchester  and  Harlem  Branch  of  the  New  Haven  at  the 
West  Farms  station  ;  by  the  New  York  and  Harlem  at  Ford- 
ham,  and  by  the  projected  line  of  Suburban  Rapid  Transit, 
the  bridge  connecting  which  with  the  Second  Avenue  Rail- 
road is  now  in  process  of  construction.  In  addition  to 
these  there  is  talk  of  still  other  lines,  which  will  be  run  by 
the  new  cable  process  and  the  use  of  dummy  engines  on 
surface  roads,  running  to  Tremont,  Fordham  and  West 
Farms. 

The  more  central  location  of  Crotona  park  places  it  al- 
most directly  on  the  line  of  the  New  York  and  Harlem 
railroad  while  St.  Marys  and  Claremont  being  more  local 
in  their  character  have  less  need  of  rapid  transit  than  those 
grounds  which  are  designed  for  the  recreation  of  the  great 
mass  of  the  people  from  distant  as  well  as  from  contiguous 
points. 

As  to  Pelham  Bay  Park  the  facilities  of  communication 
are  equal  to  any  we  have  mentioned.  The  Portchester  and 
Harlem  Railroad,  as  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  the  map, 


37 


passes  tlirougli  it,  and  the  time  from  the  terminus  at  Har- 
lem river  should  not  exceed  ten  minutes.  This  terminus 
is  easily  reached  by  way  of  the  Third  and  Second  avenue 
Elevated  Railroads.  But  these  are  not  the  only  means  of 
access  ;  for  visitors  who  prefer  to  go  by  water  and  enjoy 
the  pleasure  of  a  sail  up  the  East  river  and  the  Sound,  can 
reach  the  park  by  one  of  the  fleet  of  steamers  which,  we 
have  no  doubt,  will  find  profitable  occupation  during  the 
summer  in  conveying  passengers  to  and  from  the  great 
water-side  'park  of  the  metropolis.  In  addition  to  these, 
other  routes  are  in  contemplation,  and  surveys  have  already 
been  made  for  a  road  which  will  pass  in  close  proximity  to 
the  park,  and,  entering  the  city  line  at  Bronxdale,  will  find 
its  terminus  at  the  Harlem  river. 

It  is  very  evident  that  additional  facilities  for  trans- 
portation must  be  provided  to  keep  pace  Avith  the  rapid 
growth  of  the  city  and  the  marked  increase  of  our  popula- 
tion, especially  in  the  northern  section  of  the  island,  and  in 
the  Twenty-third  and  Twenty-fourth  Wards.  The  statistics 
of  business  of  the  elevated  and  surface  railroads  are  so 
conclusive  that  there  is  no  longer  any  room  for  doubt  on 
this  point.  The  following  table  shows  the  travel  by  both 
since  and  including  1877  : 

El.  R.  R.  Horse  Railways.                   Total. 

1877 3,011,862  160,924,436  163,936,298 

1878 9,291,319  160,952,832  170,244,151 

1879 46,045,181  142,038,381  188,083,562 

1880 60,831,757  150,390,592  211,222,349 

1881 75,585,778  146,050,808  221,636,586 

1882 86,361,029  166,510,617  252,871,646 

1883 92,113,209  175,994,523  268,107,732 

It  will  be  seen,  by  a  comparison  of  the  years  1877  with 
1883,  covering  a  period  of  six  years,  that  the  increase 
of   travel    over   both    elevated    and    horse    railways   was 


38 


104,182,134 ;  in  a  word,  that  there  were  over  104,000,000 
more  passengers  carried  in  1883  than  in  1877.  It  is  also 
worthy  of  note  that  while  there  was  a  falling  off  in  the 
travel  on  the  surface  roads  in  1879,  1880  and  1881,  because 
of  the  competition  with  the  new  system,  they  more  than 
recovered  their  business  in  1882  and  1883,  while  the  latter 
also  continued  to  gain  on  their  percentage  of  increase. 

Botanical  and  Zoological  Gardens. 

Botanical  gardens  being  rightly  regarded  as  indispen- 
sable adjuncts  to  public  parks,  your  Commission  deem  it 
an  imperative  duty  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  we 
have  at  present  in  our  park  system  nothing  really  deserv- 
ing of  the  name.  We  have  in  Central  Park  a  conservatory, 
in  which  a  limited  collection  of  rare  plants  is  to  be  found, 
and  this,  they  beg  leave  to  suggest,  presents  an  excellent 
nucleus  for  the  purpose. 

If  we  are  to  have  an  enlargement  of  our  park  area  com- 
mensurate with  the  present  needs  of  our  city,  a  botanical 
garden  must  be  included  as  an  integral  part  of  the  system. 
A  tract  of  sufficient  extent  could  be  laid  out  in  one  of  the 
contemplated  parks  as  soon  as  the  land  is  secured,  the 
selection  being,  of  course,  determined  by  the  adaptability 
of  the  soil  for  this  special  purpose. 

If  we  may  judge  from  the  success  which  has  attended 
the  establishment  of  this  attractive  and  valuable  feature  in 
the  celebrated  Philadelphia  park,  there  would  be  little 
difficulty  in  regard  to  its  proper  maintenance.  The  pro- 
ject, we  confidently  believe,  would  meet  not  only  with  the 
warm  approval  but  the  substantial  support  of  that  large 
and  yearly  increasing  class  who  take  delight  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  plants  and  flowers. 

From  a  report  of  the  Park  Commissioners  of  Philadel- 
phia, we  find  that  in  one  year  the  value  of  contributions  to 


^9 


the  Fairmount  Botanic  Gardens  was  six  thousand  five  hun- 
dred dollars,  and  the  number  of  plants,  including  many  of 
the  rarest  specimens,  was  nearly  a  thousand.  We  have  no 
doubt  that  among  our  citizens  would  be  found  as  much 
liberality.  The  example  set  by  Boston  in  making  the 
Arboretum  a  permanent  part  of  its  park  system  is  deserv- 
ing of  the  highest  praise,  and  might  well  be  imitated  by 
New  York.  A  botanical  garden  on  a  large  scale,  like  that 
of  Paris  or  London,  would  serve  as  a  practical  school  of 
horticulture,  and  would  exercise  a  favorable  influence  on  the 
movement  for  the  preservation  of  our  forests,  a  movement 
which  has  taken  permanent  form  in  nearly  all  the  Western 
States,  and  which  is  nowhere  more  needed  than  here.  The 
Garden  of  Plants  in  Paris  has  an  area  of  twenty-two  acres, 
exclusive  of  its  nursery  of  forest  trees,  and  in  connection 
with  it  is  a  school  of  botany.  All  the  plants  are  classified 
with  great  care — the  medicinal,  the  alimentary,  the  orna- 
mental, the  poisonous,  and  those  employed  in  manufactures 
— each  indicated  by  the  color  of  the  ticket  with  which  it  is 
labelled  and  on  which  its  distinctive  name  is  inscribed. 

All  the  plants  and  trees  of  our  continent  should  have 
a  place  in  our  botanical  garden,  and  our  schools  and 
colleges  would  find  therein  a  grand  field  for  instruction 
in  one  of  the  most  fascinating  and  useful  branches  of 
scientific  knowledge. 

A  park  system  that  failed  to  include  a  zoological  garden 
would  be  wanting  in  one  of  the  most  essential  requisites. 
For  a  large  number  of  visitors,  an  exhibition  of  such  a  char- 
acter has  an  interest  that  surpasses  every  other.  The 
young  never  tire  of  it,  the  illiterate  are  captivated  by  it, 
the  student  seeks  therein  a  verification  of  the  knowledge  ac- 
quired from  books,  and  the  busy  man  and  the  idler  find  in  it 
relaxation  and  recreation.  It  brings  foreign  lands  as  it  were 
to  our  gates ;  it  calls  up  strange  scenes  and  unfamiliar  land- 
scapes ;  for  who  can  look  upon  a  herd  of  camels  without  see- 


40 


ing,  in  his  mind's  eye,  a  background  of  desert  sand,  or  at 
polar  bears,  swinging  like  pendulums  from  side  to  side, 
without  thinking  of  the  frozen  solitudes  of  the  Arctic  circle. 

A  thoroughly  supplied  menagerie,  classified  and  arranged 
so  as  to  include  not  only  the  rare  animals  from  foreign  coun- 
tries but  the  fauna  of  our  own  land,  would  be  a  most  valu- 
able feature.  Such  a  department  should  be  made  sufficiently 
comjDrehensive  to  embrace,  if  possible,  one  specimen  at 
least  of  each  variety,  with  the  name  and  habitat  inscribed 
upon  its  cage,  and  large  and  enclosed  spaces  where 
uncaged  deer,  and  other  animals,  may  disport  themselves, 
as  in  their  native  forests,  to  their  own  joy  and  that  of 
the  spectators.  A  well-organized,  well-kept  zoological 
garden  might  be  made  a  medium  of  instruction  for  the 
young,  who  would  gladly  and  easily  acquire  knowledge  pre- 
sented in  the  guise  of  amusement  through  an  organ  so 
difficult  to  fatigue  as  the  eye. 

A  proper  site  secured  by  the  favorable  action  of  our  State 
Legislature,  a  number  of  wealthy  gentlemen  in  New  York 
city,  who  have  already  signified  their  intention  to  subscribe 
to  an  enterprise  of  such  a  character,  would  set  the  ball  in 
motion. 

It  is  very  evident  that  so  long  as  the  present  so-called 
menagerie  is  confined  to  the  Central  Park,  where  it  has  be- 
come a  subject  of  controversy  and  contention,  it  must  be 
contracted  in  its  scope,  unsatisfactory  to  the  community, 
and  not  of  a  character  to  invite  individual  or  public  bene- 
factions. It  is  unfortunate  that  this  is  the  case,  but  the 
fact  admitted,  the  remedy  is  obvious  and  easily  applied 
with  the  extension  of  our  park  area. 

Necessity  for  a  Site  for  a  World's  Fair. 

I  When  the  subject  of  a  world's  fair  in  the  City  of  New 
York  was  proposed  as  an  aj^propriate  manner  of  celebrat- 
ing, in   the  year  1883,  the   centenary  of  the  close  of  the 


43 


War  of  the  Revolution  and  tlie  successful  accomplisliment 
of  our  independence,  the  question  of  the  selection  of  a 
proper  site  was  earnestly  discussed.  The  proposition  to 
appropriate  a  tract  in  Central  Park  large  enough  for  the 
purpose  led  to  animated  controversy,  but  the  apprehension 
that  the  erection  of  the  required  structures  and  the  works 
connected  therewith  would  materially  damage  the  grounds 
was  so  general  and  so  strong  that  the  design  was  finally 
abandoned.  It  was  evident,  in  fact,  from  the  beginning  that 
wherever  else  the  fair  might  be  held,  it  certainly  would 
not  be  tolerated  in  Central  Park.  For  this,  as  well  as 
for  other  reasons  unnecessary  to  dwell  upon,  the  project 
fell  through  for  the  time  being.  The  subject,  however, 
has  been  again  revived  and  with  better  prospects  of 
success  in  connection  with  the  contemplated  enlargement 
of  our  park  area.  In  one  of  the  proposed  sites  ample  space 
can  be  found,  and  the  facilities  of  transportation  afforded 
by  the  projected  lines  of  rapid  transit  will  place  any  one  of 
the  parks  within  comparatively  easy  access  to  the  whole 
population.  Whether  the  favored  locality  be  in  the  Twenty- 
third  or  Twenty-fourth  Wards,  or  on  the  Sound,  at  or  near 
Pelham  Neck,  there  will,  in  the  opinion  of  your  Commission, 
be  no  difficulty  in  procuring  a  suitable  tract,  adapted  not 
only  by  its  topography  but  by  its  location,  picturesque 
surroundings,  and  accessibility  for  an  exhibition  of  the 
industry  of  all  nations  greater  than  the  Avorld  has  yet  seen. 
Perhaps  no  site  can  be  found  more  favored  and  beautiful 
for  such  a  display  of  the  fabrics  of  all  countries,  than  the 
one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  Hunter's  Island — included 
within  the  boundaries  of  the  proposed  Pelham  Bay  Park. 
By  that  time  the  means  of  transit  will  have  become  so  far 
advanced,  as  to  place  the  isle  within  cheap  and  easy  access. 
The  opportunity  presented  in  the  new  and  extensive 
parks  for  a  grand  exhibition  of  the  world's  industrial  pro- 
ducts will  give  a  new  and  powerful  impulse  to  the  project^ 


44 


the  success  of  which  we  believe  is  largely  dependent  on  the 
issue  of  the  present  movement  for  more  parks.  In  fact, 
experience  has  proved  that  the  only  proper  place  for  such 
an  enterprise  is  a  public  park,  and  as  in  the  case  of  Phil- 
adelphia and  other  cities,  the  buildings  can  be  utilized  in 
the  embellishment  of  the  ground  and  for  the  pleasure  and 
instruction  of  the  people  by  industrial,  artistic,  scientific, 
and  other  displays,  as  may  be  suggested  by  the  judgment 
of  the  managers  or  the  desire  of  the  public.  "Upon  the 
favorable  action  of  your  Honorable  Bodies  therefore  may  be 
said  to  depend  not  only  the  enlargement  of  our  park  area 
but  the  establishment  of  a  world's  fair  in  the  near  future, 
and  an  addition  to  the  attractions  of  our  city  in  the  inval- 
uable form  of  a  permanent  exhibition. 

The  Census  Returns  and  the  Lessons  They  Teach— The 
Grand  Future  of  Our  Metropolis. 

As  the  enlargement  of  our  city  is  demanded  by  the  rapid 
increase  of  its  population,  a  reference  to  the  census  statistics 
of  the  last  eighty  years  is  deemed  particularly  appropriate. 
The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  inhabitants  at 
each  decade  commencing  with  the  year  1800  : 

Percentage 
Years.  Population.  of  increase. 

1800 G0,489 

1810 90,373  59.32 

1820 123,706  28.36 

1830...' 202,589  63.76 

1840 312,710  54.35 

1850 515,547  64.86 

1860 813  669  57.84 

1870 942,292  15.80 

1880 1,206,299  28.02 

In  1853,  when  at  the  close  of  an  exceptionally  protracted 
session  the  State  Legislature  passed  the  Central  Park  bill, 
the  number  of  persons  in  the  City  of  New  York  was  about 


45 


six  hundred  thousand.  To-day  it  is  estimated  at  one  mil- 
lion and  a  half — an  addition  of  nearly  three  hundred  thou- 
sand since  the  census  of  1880.  This  estimate  is  based  upon 
data  that,  in  the  absence  of  an  actual  enumeration,  may  be 
accepted  as  affording  a  fairly  reliable  approximation.  The 
death  rate,  which,  except  in  periods  of  epidemic  diseases, 
bears  an  almost  certain  ratio  to  the  whole  population,  the 
great  activity  in  building  operations,  the  marked  increase  in 
travel  on  the  surface  and  elevated  railroads,  the  rapid  growth 
of  the  upper  wards,  and  the  promise  of  still  greater  progress 
during  the  present  and  succeeding  years,  afford  unmistak- 
able indications  that  a  large  addition  has  since  the  last 
census  been  made  to  the  number  of  our  inhabitants. 

The  increase  exhibited  in  the  above  table  varies  in  the 
different  periods  ;  but  the  total  of  the  eighty  years  from  1800 
to  1880  shows  an  average  increase  of  46.54  per  cent, 
for  each  decade.  From  1860  to  1870  there  was,  during 
the  civil  war,  a  marked  falling  off  in  the  percentage,  but  this 
we  are  assured  was  owing  to  another  cause  which  has  not 
been  taken  into  the  account  in  these  calculations  and 
which  exercised  a  great  and  controlling  influence.  This 
cause  so  powerful  in  retarding  the  natural  growth  of  New 
York  was  to  be  found  in  the  want  of  the  necessary  facilities 
of  transportation  and  travel,  and  which,  as  shown  in  an 
address  delivered  some  fourteen  years  ago  by  Hon.  H.  C. 
Gardiner,  before  a  meeting  of  the  owners  of  real  estate  in 
this  city  and  Westchester  county,  resulted  in  a  loss  of 
407,732  in  its  population  from  1840  to  1870.  In  other  words 
the  number  of  inhabitants  in  New  York  in  the  latter  year 
should  have  been  1,334,078  instead  of  942,292.  This 
decrease  of  population  we  are  further  informed  was  attended 
by  a  loss  m  value  of  the  taxable  property  on  the  upper  part 
of  the  Island  "to  an  amount  exceeding  $500,000,000  ;  "  a  tax 
on  which  of  only  two  and  one-half  per  cent,  could  have 
produced  a  yearly  revenue  to  the  city  of  $12,500,000. 


46 


There  can  be  no  doubt  that  this  result,  so  detrimental 
to  the  interests  and  welfare  of  the  city,  to  its  growth  and 
prosperity,  is  mainly,  if  not  wholly,  attributable  to  the  want 
of  adequate  means  of  communication  between  its  northern 
and  southern  portions.  What  New  York  and  Westchester 
lost  Long  Island  and  New  Jersey  haye  gained  by  meeting 
the  imperatiye  demand  for  rapid  transit.  Within  the  last 
few  years,  however,  this  demand  has  been  to  a  great  extent 
supplied  by  the  elevated  railroads,  and  we  have  no  doubt, 
as  already  stated,  that  the  beneficial  effect  will  be  found  in 
a  larger  percentage  of  increase  from  1880  to  1890  than  dur- 
ing any  previous  decade.  The  marked  increase  in  popula- 
tion and  enhancement  in  real  estate  in  the  upper  part 
of  the  Island,  and  particularly  in  the  Twelfth  and  Nine- 
teenth Wards,  is  chiefly  attributable  to  the  facilities 
a^fforded  by  the  system  of  rapid  transit  from  the  Battery 
to  the  Harlem  river.  One  fact  is  evident  from  these 
indications,  that  our  Metropolis  is  rapidly  recovering 
her  lost  ground  and  with  the  contemplated  lines  of  rapid 
transit,  in  addition  to  those  in  operation,  we  will  have 
nothing  to  fear  from  competition  elsewhere,  particularly 
with  the  advantages  which  the  proj^osed  parks  are  certain 
to  confer. 

Indeed  the  present  prosperity  of  New  York  justifies  an 
estimate  based  upon  the  highest  percentage  of  increase.  The 
whole  country  may  be  said  to  contribute  of  its  wealth,  its 
growth  and  its  population  to  our  progress,  and  whatever 
affects  the  one  beneficially  or  injuriously  produces  a  corre- 
sponding effect  upon  the  other.  Taking  as  a  basis  of  cal- 
culation for  the  next  ten  years  the  largest  percentage  of  in- 
crease, which  is  sixty-five,  we  shall  have  in  1893  within  the 
limits  of  our  metropolis  nearly  two  million  and  a  half  of 
souls,  or  an  accession  of  975,000  to  our  present  number. 
In  a  lecture  delivered  in  1881,  the  eminent  Artie  explorer, 
Dr.  I.  I.  Hayes,  referring  to  the  future  of  our   metropolis. 


47 


spoke  of  it  as  "a  city  destined  in  time  to  be  the  largest  in 
the  world  ;  a  city  which  substantially  holds  in  its  popula- 
tion, Jersey  and  Brooklyn  as  j)art  of  itself,''  and  round 
whose  ''  matchless  harbor  "  there  are  "  more  than  two  mil- 
lions of  souls." 

Those  who  are  disposed  to  question  the  accuracy  of  an 
estimate  which  places  the  population  of  New  York  at  this 
figure — equal  to  that  of  the  City  of  Paris  to-day — are  re- 
ferred to  the  census  returns  of  past  decades,  which  show  as 
large  a  relative  increase.  From  the  year  1820  to  1830  the 
population  increased  from  123,000  to  202,000,  or  at  the  rate 
of  sixty-four  per  cent.  ;  and  from  1840  to  1850  the  increase 
was  sixty -five  per  cent.  "With  large  accessions  yearly  from 
immigration,  of  which  New  York  receives  a  liberal  pro2:>or- 
tion,  with  very  considerable  additions  from  our  returning 
citizens  who  were  induced  by  moderate  rents  and  better 
facilities  of  transit  to  take  up  their  abode  elsewhere,  with 
the  inducements  and  requirements  of  business  and  the 
attractions  of  city  life,  and  the  attractive  power  of  large 
and  noble  parks ;  with  all  these  causes  and  influences 
at  work,  we  may  justly  expect  as  great  if  not  a  still  greater 
percentage  of  increase  within  the  present  decade  ;  an  in- 
crease from  all  these  various  and  combined  influences  of  at 
least  sixty-five  per  cent. 

That  this  is  not  an  overestimate  we  have  already  had 
incontestible  evidence  in  the  increased  immigration  since 
1880.  In  the  following  year  the  accessions  to  our  city's 
population  from  this  source  alone  was  estimated  by  the 
Commissioners  at  one  hundred  and  forty-three  thousand, 
so  that  a  large  portion  of  the  expected  addition  of  sixty- 
five  per  cent,  may  be  regarded  as  secured  in  advance. 
Should  this  ratio  continue  decade  after  decade  for  the  next 
half  century,  then  at  the  end  of  1933  the  population  of 
New  York  will  have  exceeded  the  enormous  and  almost  in- 
credible aggregate  of  twelve  millions  of  souls.    But  making 


48 


due  allowance  for  every  contingency,  and  particularly  for 
periods  of  business  depression  and  financial  revulsions, 
and  calculating  on  an  average  increase  of  forty  per  cent., 
which  is  eight  per  cent,  per  decade  less  than  the  average 
of  the  percentage  of  increase  from  1820  to  1880,  as  shown 
by  the  census  returns  already  given,  the  population  es- 
timated on  this  basis  will  have  exceeded  eight  millions. 
This  is  somewhat  more  than  five  times  our  present  number 
of  inhabitants,  and  yet  it  is  much  less  than  the  ratio  of 
increase  in  the  fifty  years  from  1830  to  1880.  In  1830  the 
population  was,  as  stated  in  the  table  referred  to,  202,589, 
and  in  1880,  1,250,000,  a  six-fold  increase. 

Large,  however,  as  the  estimate  may  appear,  it  will 
cease  to  excite  surprise  when  the  marvellous  growth  and 
rapid  development  of  the  whole  country  is  considered. 
The  last  census  showed  that  the  population  of  the  United 
States  was  somewhat  over  fifty  millions,  and  that  it  had 
trebled  in  every  forty  years  from  1800  to  1880.  The  three-, 
fold  increase  was  a  constant  factor  in  each  of  these  periods- 

as  shown  by  the  following  table  : 

Percentage  of 
Year.  Increase. 

1800 5,308,483 

1810  7,239,881 36.45 

1820 9,633,822 3312 

1830 12,866,020 33.49 

1840 17,069,453 34.12 

1850 23,191,876 35.86 

1860 31,443,321 35.59 

1870 38,558,371 22.62 

1880 50,155,783 30.76 

Here  we  have  an  almost  uniform  rate  of  increase,  and 
applying  the  calculation  afforded  by  this  basis  to  the  next 
forty  years,  we  shall  have  by  1920,  within  the  limits  of  the 
United  States,  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty  millions,  and 
at  the  close  of  half  a  century,  or  1930,  two  hundred  mill- 


49 


ions.  Unlike  the  great  capitals  of  Europe,  New  York  will 
not  only  be  the  capital  of  a  nation  but  of  a  continent, 
of  a  world.  Who  shall  venture  to  place  bounds  to  its 
growth,  its  power,  its  magnificence  ?  How  insignifi- 
cant then  shall  appear  the  area  set  apart  for  the  recreation 
of  its  teeming  millions  !  One  great  element  of  the  pros- 
perity and  fame  of  our  city  is,  and  will  be,  the  coming 
hither,  for  business  and  residence  of  men  of  wealth  and 
mark  from  other  parts  of  the  Union.  If  they  can  bring 
their  families  to  the  head  of  navigation  and  find  here  a  city 
of  attractions,  a. city  possessing  all  the  charms  and  advan- 
tages of  a  high  state  of  civilization,  where  health  is  regarded, 
where  the  sources  of  culture  exist,  where  refined  taste  is 
displayed,  where  art  is  fostered  and  learning  honored.  A 
city  which  can  compete  in  attractions  with  the  foreign 
capitals,  our  wealthier  classes  affect,  and  where  they  "  most 
do  congregate  ;  "  we  may  reasonably  expect  that  New  York 
will  become  the  great  centre  to  which  will  tend  for  perma- 
nent abode  much  of  the  wealth,  intellect  and  influence  from 
other  cities  of  the  land.  Perhaps  no  single  means  could 
be  devised  of  such  magnetic  power  in  this  respect,  none 
which  would  so  spread  abroad  the  repute  of  our  city  for 
beauty  and  attractiveness  as  the  parks  we  recommend. 
Such  a  reputation  will  entice  hither  and,  if  preserved,  will 
retain  amongst  us  men  whom  enterprise  and  fortune  have 
favored  in  other  parts  of  the  country,  men  whose  names 
will  swell  the  list  of  our  celebrities,  and  whose  means  and 
expenditures  will  add  respectively  more  to  the  opulence  of 
our  city  than  the  whole  combined  outlay  for  the  parks. 

In  a  pamphlet  issued  about  two  years  ago  by  the  New 
York  Park  Association,  we  find  the  following  glowing  but 
not  overdrawn  picture  of  the  future  of  our  country  and  its 
great  metropolis  : 

"  When  we  consider  the  gigantic  strides  the  nation  has  made 
within  the  last  twenty-five  years,  despite  the  losses  caused  by  the 

4 


50 


most  destructive  civil  war  recorded  in  the  history  of  the  world,  we 
shall  more  fully  realize  its  grand  destiny.  A  nation  of  nearly  two 
hundred  millions,  all  living  under  the  one  government  and  speaking 
the  one  language,  must  exercise  a  vast,  a  controlling  influence  on  the 
civilization,  the  policy,  the  commerce  of  the  world,  and  the  great 
metropolis,  the  commercial  capital  of  that  nation,  must  be  the  finan- 
cial centre  around  which  the  business  interests  of  the  whole  con- 
tinent shall  revolve.  London  shall  no  longer  hold  the  balance  of 
power  in  the  monetary  world,  and  Lombard  street  and  the  Bourse 
shall  be  governed  in  their  movements  by  the  Wall  street  barometer. 

"The  New  York  of  the  future  will  be  not  only  to  the  new,  but  to 
the  old  world  as  well,  what  London  and  Paris  are  to  Europe — the 
great  centre  of  capital,  commerce,  and  enterprise,  the  arbiter  of  taste 
and  fashion,  the  magnet  to  attract  travelers  from  the  ends  of  the 
earth.  Here  the  wealth  of  a  continent  will  find  profitable  fields  for 
investment ;  here  art  and  genius  will  discover  new  forms  of  expres- 
sion ;  here  invention  will  lighten  labor,  and  liberty  will  dignify  toil; 
here,  too,  wealth  will  find  its  noblest  work  in  erecting  homes  and 
asylums  for  those  who  have  been  wounded  in  the  battle  of  life  ;  and 
its  most  graceful  use  in  founding  institutions  wherein  might  be  stored 
the  jjroducts  of  the  brain  power  of  the  world,  whether  in  printed 
volumes  or  illuminated  manuscripts,  in  speaking  canvas  or  in  sculp- 
tured marble  ;  such  institutions  as  the  Astor  and  Lenox  Libraries, 
Cooper  Institute  and  the  Museum  of  Art.  Standing  midway  in  the 
paths  of  commerce  and  trade  between  Europe  and  Asia,  between  the 
active  civilization  of  the  one  and  the  long  dormant  but  awakening 
civilization  of  the  other,  the  most  vivid  imagination  might  well 
shrink  from  foreshadowing  the  future  of  our  imperial  city.  Nothing 
can  impede  or  delay  its  progress  but  the  apathy  or  indifference  of  its 
citizens  ;  nothing  impart  to  it  such  an  impetus  as  their  active  interest 
in  every  project  designed  to  extend  its  boundaries  and  increase  its 
attractiveness.  Apprehensions  of  the  decline  of  trade,  or  the  loss  of 
this  or  that  branch  of  business,  from  competition  with  rival  cities, 
may  alarm  timid  minds,  but  the  true  i)olicy  is  to  make  our  metropolis 
so  inviting  that  it  will  bring  not  only  jjleasure-seekers,  but  profit- 
seekers  to  enjoy  its  advantages  and    participate  in  its  pleasures. 

* '  The  New  York  for  which  we  are  now  to  provide  is  a  city 
whose  population  will,  within  the  present  century,  surge  in  great 
waves  up  to  the  northern  and  eastern  boundary  lines  and  into  West- 
chester county.       In  the  next  (quarter  of  a  century  the  })roposed  jmrks 


53 


-will  be  as  inadequate  to  the  demands  of  the  future  as  the  Central 
Park  is  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  present.  If  our  officials  are 
equal  to  the  opportunity  now  presented  they  will,  under  the  au- 
thority which  it  is  to  be  hoped  the  Legislature  at  its  present  session 
will  confer,  secure  a  generous  area  for  the  jjurposes  stated.  Thiy 
they  owe  to  the  whole  population,  but  in  a  special  manner  do  they 
owe  it  to  that  most  numerous  portion,  the  workers  and  the  toilers, 
the  men  who  have  built  up  the  great  but  still  unfinished  city,  and  for 
whom  these  spacious  pleasure-grounds  would  supply  a  want  which 
the  Central  Park  can  never  satisfy. " 

One  of  the  most  convincing  proofs  that  could  be  pre- 
sented of  the  correctness  of  the  estimates  of  the  population 
of  New  York,  is  furnished  by  the  remarkable  activity  dis- 
played during  the  past  three  or  four  years  in  the  erection 
of  all  kinds  and  classes  of  dwellings.  Should  this  activity 
continue  without  abatement  during  the  next  ten  years, 
it  is  calculated  that  all  the  available  space  on  Man- 
hattan Island  will  be  occupied  by  buildings.  That  all 
,  this  space,  however,  will  be  built  upon  within  the  time 
specified  is  not  to  be  supposed.  Such  has  not  been 
the  case  heretofore  in  the  growth  of  our  city,  which 
has  been  constructed,  so  to  speak,  in  detached  pieces 
that  have  in  time  been  united  by  connecting  links 
and  finally  swallowed  up  in  the  great  mass.  The  same 
process  will  continue  in  the  annexed  districts.  Rapid 
transit  will  bring  into  use  the  cheaper  lands  lying  near  or 
■even  beyond  the  suburbs,  and  these  nuclei  of  population 
will,  like  those  which  have  been  absorbed  by  the  advancing 
city,  lose  their  identity  and  disappear  within  its  ever- 
extending  boundaries. 

Of  the  975,000  which  according  to  the  foregoing  esti- 
mate will  be  added  to  New  York's  residents,  what  portion 
will  reside  south  and  what  north  of  the  Harlem  river  ? 
The  question  is  not  one  of  mere  choice  only  but  of 
economy,  and  the  answer  is  to  be  found  in  rapid  transit 
and  low  rents.     If  the  annexed  district  receives  half  of  this 


54 


increase,  then  there  will  be  half  a  million,  and  possibly 
three-quarters  of  a  million,  in  the  Twenty-third  and 
Twenty-fourth  Wards  at  the  close  of  the  next  ten  years. 
As  our  city  can  extend  only  in  a  northerly  and  north- 
easterly direction,  and  as  we  should  make  provision  for 
an  increase  of  our  park  area  in  time  when  land  can  be 
had  at  low  rates,  then  a  proper  regard  for  economy  re- 
quires that  it  should  be  purchased  in  that  section  and  at 
the  earliest  possible  day. 

Cause  of  our  Limited  Park  area. 

In  the  dimensions  of  park  territoiy  the  City  of  New 
York  has  lingered  far  l)eliind  the  principal  cities  both  of 
Europe  and  America,  compared  with  her  population  and 
prospects,  and  this  has  been  owing  to  the  shape  and  extent 
of  her  domain.  The  North  and  East  rivers  bound  her 
securely  on  two  sides,  and  the  Harlem  and  Spuyten  Duyvil 
restrained  her  on  the  north.  She  could  not  overleap  these 
boundaries,  and  within  them  there  was  not  room  for  any 
parks  of  magnitude.  She  thought  she  had  accomplished 
wonders  when  from  her  limited  resources  she  set  apart 
864  acres  for  public  use  and  recreation.*  Now  she  feels 
how  inadequate  is  that  amount.  She  has  learned  that  she 
can  stretch  her  growing  and  giant  limbs  into  the  outlying 
region,  incorporating  a  magnificent  area  within  her  elastic 
bounds.  She  has  space  now,  by  the  far-seeing  wisdom  of 
the  Legislature,  for  parks  of  adequate  size  and  in  territory 
eminently  fitted  for  the  purpose.  She  has  not  awaked 
from  her  sleep  one  moment  too  soon.  Ten  years  more  and 
it  would  have  been  too  late. 

By  a  fortunate  providence  there  are  ample  spaces  in 
the  centre  and  on  tli(^  coast  wliich  have  been  withheld  from 
commercial  enterprises,  which  are  not  built  upon,  which 
are  still  regarded  by  their  owners  as  acrt^s  and  not  as  city 


oo 


lots,  and  which  can  now  be  obtained  at  a  fair  value  as  coun- 
try grounds.  If  these  lands  should  be  now  obtained  for 
park  pur230ses,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  value  of  the 
tract  appro^^riated  will  be  not  only  greatly  enhanced,  as  in 
the  case  of  Central  Park,  which,  purchased  thirty  years 
ago  at  a  cost  of  86,666,000,  is  to-day  estimated  as  worth 
$200,000,000 ;  but  new  life  will  be  infused  into  the  sur- 
rounding and  neighboring  property,  adding  immensely  to 
their  taxable  value,  thus  replenishing  the  city  treasury. 

Effect  of  Central  Park  on  the  Value  of  Adjacent 

Land. 

The  bill  providing  for  the  establishment  of  Central  Park 
was  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  1853,  and  in  1856  the 
Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Supreme  Court  to  con- 
demn the  land  and  make  the  awards  therefor  had  concluded 
their  work,  having  appropriated  a  tract  of  660  acres. 

For  this  tract  the  total  amount  paid  including  all 
expenses  was  $5,493,766,  and  the  actual  cost  per  acre  was 
about  $7,800.  The  two  reservoirs  embraced  an  area  of  142 
acres,  making  a  total,  with  the  land  already  purchased 
between  Fifth  and  Eighth  avenues  and  Fifty-ninth  and  One 
Hundred  and  Sixth  streets,  of  802  acres.  To  this  was 
added  by  a  law  passed  in  1859,  six  years  after  the  passage 
of  the  first  act,  the  section  extending  from  One  Hundred 
and  Sixth  to  One  Hundred  and  Tenth  street,  containing 
sixty-two  acres,  making  an  aggregate  of  864  acres,  which 
is  the  present  area  of  the  park  For  this  tract  the  city 
was  obliged  to  pay  nearly  twenty  thousand  dollars  an  acre, 
about  five  times  the  cost  of  the  land  at  the  upper  extremity 
of  the  park  when  the  first  purchase  was  made,  six  years 
before.  Had  the  whole  territory  been  bought  at  the  same 
time,  immediately  after  the  passage  of  the  act  in    1853,    at 

least  EIGHT  HUNDRED  THOUSAND  DOLLARS  WOULD  HAVE  BEEN 
SAVED    TO    THE    PUBLIC   TREASURY. 


56 


The  increase  of  values  at  the  northern  extremity  of  the 
park,  great  as  it  appears  from  this  striking  proof,  was 
much  less  than  the  enhancement  which  took  place  at  other 
points,  particularly  near  the  southern  limit,  the  year  after 
the  passage  of  the  law,  when  the  advance   was  over  theee 

HUNDRED   PER   CENT. 

Such  facts  as  these  speak  volumes.  The  most  convinc- 
ing arguments  are  weak  and  impotent  compared  with  the 
invulnerable  logic  of  these  figures.  The  most  eloquent 
appeals  for  prompt  legislative  action  have  no  such  influ- 
ence as  these  silent  numerals.  They  prove  beyond  the 
possibility  of  doubt  or  cavil  the  necessity  of  securing  park 
lands  at  once,  and  securing  a  sufficient  amount. 

The  lesson  taught  by  this  costly  experience  should  be 
profitably  applied  in  the  present  case.  True  economy  is 
best  subserved  by  a  liberal  appropriation  of  land  while  it 
can  be  had  at  low  rates.  Three  or  four  thousand  acres 
secured  in  the  territory  north  of  the  Harlem  river  within 
the  present  year,  and  before  the  effect  of  the  work  now  in 
progress  to  facilitate  rapid  transit  from  the  Battery  to  the 
Bronx  is  felt  in  the  inevitable  and  almost  immediate 
enhancement  of  values,  will  save  millions  of  dollars  in  the 
near  future.  If  the  city  should  issue  its  bonds  for  the  pur- 
chase price  of  the  title  of  all  the  lands  recommended 
herein  for  parks,  making  the  same  payable  in  thirty  years, 
and  at  an  interest  of  three  and  a  half  per  cent.,  the  argu- 
ment derived  from  past  experience  demonstrates  that  at 
the  maturity  of  the  bonds,  the  amount  of  both  principal 
and  interest,  and  the  expense  of  putting  the  parks  in  order 
and  maintaining  tliem,  would  be  more  than  repaid  by  the 
increased  tax  income,  while  the  city  would  hold  the  title, 
enhanced  in  value  thirty  fold,  free  and  clear  and  without 
cost. 

Since,  in  addition,  it  is  conceded  that  parks  are  indispen- 
sable to  the  health  of  great  centres  of  po])ulation — a  fact 


Dt 


which  is  sustained  by  the  highest  authorities  in  sanitary 
science — there  would  seem  to  be  no  room  for  doubt  as  to 
the  duty  of  the  official  powers  in  the  matter. 

Objections  as  to  the  Proposed  Increase  of  Park  Area 

Answered. 

It  has  been  said  that  the  movement  is  premature,  and 
that  many  years  must  elapse  before  the  population  of  the 
annexed  district  will  be  large  enough  to  justify  the  establish- 
ment of  public  pleasure-grounds  in  the  Twenty-third  and 
Twenty-fourth  Wards  and  the  adjoining  territory  of  West- 
chester. The  reply  to  this  objection  is  that  this  is  a  ques- 
tion in  which  the  whole  city  is  interested,  and  that  the 
larger  parks  which  have  been  located  north  of  the 
Harlem  river,  as  shown  on  the  accompanying  map, 
are  for  the  whole  people,  while  only  the  smaller  spaces  are 
for  the  benefit  and  use  of  the  immediate  locality.  Had 
such  arguments  prevailed  over  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago, 
the  City  of  New  York  would  now  be  without  the  grand 
park  which  is  to-day  the  pride  of  its  citizens  ;  and  our  only 
breathing  places  would  be  a  few  public  squares,  or  so-called 
parks,  unworthy  the  name. 

As  we  have  shown  in  another  part  of  this  paper.  Central 
Park,  viewed  in  a  financial  aspect  alone,  has  proved  a  most 
profitable  investment  for  the  city,  a  magnificent  real  estate 
speculation,  which  has  netted  the  public  treasury  millions 
of  dollars  over  and  above  even  the  most  prodigal  expend 
itures.  Millions,  it  is  true,  were  spent  on  works  that  could. 
have  been  dispensed  with,  and  which,  in  the  proposed 
parks  that  are  to  be  of  a  rural  character,  will  be  wholly 
unnecessary.  Though  Central  Park  was  designed  originally 
as  a  public  pleasure-ground  solely,  and  not  for  show  ;  as  a 
place  for  the  recreation  of  all  the  people,  free  from  restric- 
tions save  such  as  were  necessary  for  the  preservation  of  a 
proper  degree  of  neatness  and  order,  the  public  enjoyment 


58 


of  it  is,  excej^t  when  official  permission  is  given,  rigidly 
confined  to  its  roads  and  drives  and  walks,  under  prohibi- 
tion and  penalty. 

The  observant  visitor  cannot  fail  to  see  that  Central 
Park  is  wholly  inadequate  to  the  wants  of  our  present 
population,  that  at  certain  seasons  and  certain  hours  of  the 
day  it  is  overcrowded  with  vehicles,  the  number  of  which, 
it  is  estimated,  lias  doubled  within  the  past  five  years. 
Yet,  as  we  shall  see,  the  most  determined  opposition  was 
organized  against  it  during  the  years  of  agitation  that  pre- 
ceded the  enactment  of  the  bill  for  its  establishment ;  but 
who  contends  to-day  that  it  has  been  other  than  a  benefit 
to  the  people,  and  one  of  the  very  few  great  public  works 
that  has  more  than  paid  for  the  outlay?  Wh(\  of  all  those 
who  so  fiercely  opposed  it,  would  consent  to  its  abolish- 
ment ?  If  the  question  were  now  put  to  public  vote,  is  it 
likely  there  would  be  one  ballot  for  its  discontinuance  ? 

We  have  said  that  the  Central  is  wliolly  inadequate  to 
the  wants  of  our  present  population,  and  Ave  may  also  say, 
much  as  it  is  to  be  regretted,  that  the  time  is  fast  approach- 
ing when  its  dimensions  must,  in  obedience  to  the  imperative 
necessities  of  business,  be  materially  reduced.  When  the 
vacant  spaces  which  still  remain  on  the  east  and  west  sides 
of  the  park  are  covered  w^th  buildings,  the  number  of 
transverse  roads  which  form  the  only  means  of  communi- 
cation through  the  park  between  those  sections  of  the 
city  must  be  increased,  and  the  area  of  our  one  great  park 
reduced  in  compliance  with  the  stern  necessities  of  busi- 
ness. Indeed,  the  first  step  has  already  been  taken  in  this 
direction,  and  a  new  transverse  road  is  about  to  be  opened. 

Can  it,  in  view  of  these  facts,  be  rationally  argued  that 
the  present  movement  for  an  enlargement  of  our  park  area 
is  premature  in  a  city  Avhose  population  lias  increased  from 
a  half  million  to  a  million  and  a  half  since  our  first  great 
park  was  proposed? 


Bronx   Park — DeLancey's  Ancient  Pine. 


6i 


In  the  meanwhile,  as  we  have  shown  in  these  pages,  we 
have  been  surpassed  by  several  cities  which  have  followed 
and  improved  upon  our  example.  Within  this  period  the 
taxable  value  of  our  real  estate  has  increased  from  three 
hundred  millions  to  one  billion  two  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven  millions,  but  while  the  city  has  advanced  in  wealth 
and  population,  the  addition  to  our  park  area,  as  shown  by 
the  figures,  has  been  comparatively  insignificant. 

It  has  been  urged  as  an  argument  against  the  proposed 
increase,  that  the  insular  situation  of  New  York,  bounded 
by  two  great  rivers,  secures  an  abundance  of  fresh  air ;  but 
the  tens  of  thousands  of  dwellers  on  our  water-front,  who 
occupy  long  lines  of  tenement  houses,  and  who  breathe  the 
air  which  sweeps  over  the  fetid  outpour  of  sewers  and  the 
poisonous  refuse  of  factories  and  gas  houses,  filth,  and 
abominations  that  are  ever  on  the  increase,  would,  if  con- 
sulted on  the  subject,  soon  dispel  any  such  illusion.  The 
North  and  East  rivers  cannot  in  any  sense  be  regarded  as 
substitutes  for  parks.  Let  it  be  admitted  that  they  purify 
the  air ;  they  afi'ord  no  playground  for  the  children,  no 
opportunity  for  the  exercises  of  athletic  clubs,  no  parade- 
ground  for  the  militia,  no  drive  for  horses  and  vehicles,  no 
promenade  for  our  adult  population,  no  shady  retreats,  no 
expanse  of  "  sight-refreshing  green,"  "  the  livery  Nature 
still  delights  to  wear,"  for  the  enjoyment  and  recreation  of 
pic-nic,  excursion,  and  other  social  parties. 

We  would  suggest,  moreover,  that  something  more  than 
pure  air,  essential  as  that  is,  is  required ;  health-giving 
physical  recreation  is  also  necessary  ;  and  where  can  the 
mass  of  our  population  look  for  this,  but  to  the  people's 
summer  resorts — the  great  rural  parks — which  are  certainly 
as  necessary  to  the  American  metropolis  as  they  are  to 
London,  or  Paris,  or  Vienna,  or  any  of  the  other  European 
capitals  ? 


62 


It  has  also  been  urged,  as  a  reason  why  this  question  of 
more  public  parks  should  be  kept  in  abeyance  for  some 
years,  that  the  pressing  need  for  an  increase  in  our  supply 
of  Croton  water  must  be  immediately  considered  and  pro- 
vided for.  Your  Commission,  in  common  with  the  rest  of 
their  fellow-citizens,  recognize  and  appreciate  the  urgency 
of  this  important  work,  and  they  fully  concur  in  the  views 
expressed  as  to  the  imperative  necessity  for  its  accomplish- 
ment at  the  earliest  day.  They  would  be  the  last  to  counsel 
delay  or  to  throw  obstacles  in  the  way  of  its  speedy  com- 
pletion. But,  for  the  all-sufficient  reasons  stated,  and  which 
are  based  on  the  success  of  Central  Park  in  financial  results, 
they  believe  that  the  proposed  rural  pleasure-grounds 
would  aid  in  furnishing  the.  means  and  defraying  the 
expense  of  the  costly  works  required  for  an  increase  of  our 
water  supply.  From  the  greatly  enhanced  value  of  the 
land,  which,  as  experience  in  New  York  and  other  cities 
affords  conclusive  evidence,  has  invariably  attended  the 
creation  of  parks,  the  city  will  derive  from  year  to  year  an 
increased  income  that  will  materially  lighten  the  expense 
of  necessary  public  works.. 

The  importance  of  the  subject  demands  for  it  the  earnest 
consideration  oj^your  Honorable  Bodies,  affecting,  as  it  does 
in  a  peculiar  degree,  the  interests  of  the  metropolis  ;  for  if 
by  an  outlay  of  five  or  six  millions  of  dollars,  in  a  mat- 
ter of  such  vital  importance  to  the  public  health,  our  city 
will  realize,  within  ten  years,  more  than  the  cost  of  the 
land  in  the  income  ..xom  increased  taxation  consequent  on 
the  largely  enhanced  value  of  the  property  adjacent  to  the 
parks,  so  much  will  have  been  obtained  toward  the  reduc- 
tion of  other  expenses.  In  Boston,  Philadelphia  and 
other  cities  this  fact  has  been  turned  to  profitable  account. 
More  land  having  been  })urchased  than  was  absolutely 
required,  the  surpUis  was  sold  at  an  advanced  valuation, 
j)rodu('ing  from  five  to  ten  times  the  amount  originally  paid  ; 


63 


for  this  land,  fronting  on  the  parks,  constituted  the  most 
valuable  portion  of  the  property.  Such,  it  may  be  stated 
here,  as  an  illustration,  was  the  result  of  the  vast  improve- 
ment conceived  and  carried  out  in  the  French  capital  by 
Baron  Haussman.  Under  the  system  devised  by  that  dis- 
tinguished engineer  a  large  section  of  the  city  was  pur- 
chased by  the  government,  the  buildings  removed,  spacious 
thoroughfares  opened,  and  such  improvements  made  in  the 
locality  selected  that  the  municipal  treasury  was  much 
more  than  reimbursed  for  the  outlay,  realizing  a  handsome 
profit  on  the  sales  of  lots,  on  which  splendid  structures 
took  the  place  of  unsightly  and  unhealthy  buildings,  the 
resort,  in  some  cases,  of  the  worst  portion  of  the  commu- 
nity. 

If,  in  the  case  of  Central  Park,  a  space  extending  to  a 
width  of  five  or  six  hundred  feet  from  the  present  boundar}^ 
had  been  included  in  the  area  appropriated,  and  disposed 
of  five  or  six  or  ten  years  after  the  passage  of  the  bill, 
enough  would  have  been  realized  from  the  sale  to  have 
more  than  paid  for  all  the  land  taken.  A  reference  to  the 
tax  valuation  shows  that  the  increase  in  the  value  of  the 
adjoining  property  exceeded  even  the  most  sanguine  antici- 
pations. For  the  advantage  of  location  and  the  enhanced 
value  of  their  land  the  adjacent  owners  were  obliged  to  pay 
a  proportionate  tax  rate.  That  similar  results  will  follow 
the  establishment  of  the  parks  now  located  there  cannot  be 
a  reasonable  doubt.  As  a  mere  financial  speculation  for  the 
city,  as  a  means  of  enabling  it  to  meet  other  and  necessary 
expenditures,  and,  above  all,  as  a  provision  that  should  be 
made  in  time  for  the  sanitary  well-being  of  the  population, 
there  should  be  no  hesitation  in  regard  to  the  proposed 
extension  of  our  park  area. 


64 


Parks  as  a  Profitable  Municipal  Investment— A  Notable 

Instance— From  Three  Thousand  Dollars  to 

OVER  A  Million  and  a  Quarter. 

Among  the  iiaportant  considerations  growing  out  of, 
and  intimately  connected  with,  the  proposed  enlargement 
of  the  parks  of  the  metropolis,  is  the  effect  it  must  inevita- 
bly produce  on  the  taxable  value  of  real  estate  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  the  sites  selected.  In  every  instance, 
as  experience  has  invariably  proved,  not  alone  in  New- 
York,  but  in  other  cities,  the  creation  of  parks  has  been 
followed  by  a  large  addition  to  the  municipal  revenues, 
increasing  steadily  year  by  year  as  the  area  of  improve- 
ment and  population  extended. 

The  history  of  the  establishment  of  Central  Park  fur- 
nishes a  notable  instance  of  the  correctness  of  the  state- 
ment. When  the  question  of  the  creation  of  that  popular 
and  now  deservedly  celebrated  pleasure-ground  was 
agitated,  the  proposition  led  to  a  fierce  and  bitter  contro- 
versy. Among  its  determined  opponents  the  large  real 
estate  owners  were  conspicuous  by  their  hostility,  and 
determined  in  their  opposition.  They  contended  that  it 
would  bankrupt  the  city  treasury  ;  that  it  would  prove  a 
curse  instead  of  a  blessing  to  the  city ;  that  the  insular 
position  of  New  York,  bounded  by  two  great  rivers,  ren- 
dered it  wholly  unnecessary  as  a  sanitary  measure,  and 
that  it  would  be  a  resort  for  the  worst  characters  of  the 
metropolis.  They  sent  delegation  after  delegation  to  the 
Legislature,  and  their  agents  were  untiring  in  their  efforts 
to  defeat  the  bill  for  its  creation.  But  the  friends  and 
promoters  of  the  project  had -faith  in  the  good  work  in 
which  they  were  engaged,  and  confidence  in  its  ultimate 
success,  and  after  a  protracted  contest  of  four  years  the  law 
creating  Central  Park  was  enacted. 


65 


The  result  more  than  justified  the  most  sanguine  expec- 
tations of  the  friends  and  advocates  of  that  truly  beneficent 
work.  Standing  second  in  its  importance  and  consequence 
only  to  the  introduction  of  the  Croton  water  in  its  effect 
upon  the  public  health,  it  has  far  surpassed  that  great 
work  in  its  financial  results.  From  the  moment  it  was 
reasonably  certain  that  the  desired  legislation  would  be 
obtained  and  that  the  advocates  of  the  park  would  be  suc- 
cessful, a  marked  improvement  was  perceptible  in  the  value 
of  the  territory  in  which  its  site  was  to  be  located.  Eeal 
estate  advanced  fifty  per  cent,  in  some  localities,  and  this 
only  in  anticipation  of  the  passage  of  the  act ;  so  eager 
were  purchasers  to  take  advantage  of  the  expected  increase. 
Speculators  were  quick  to  perceive  and  improve  the  oppor- 
tunity, and  the  competition  became  so  active  that  in  a 
single  year  there  was  in  some  localities  a  three-fold 
increase. 

In  the  pamphlet  issued  by  the  New  York^Park  Associa- 
tion, and  which  contains  much  valuable  information  col- 
lected from  official  sources  bearing  upon  this  particular 
point,  a  striking  instance  is  given  of  the  unprecedented 
rise  in  the  values  of  real  estate  in  the  Wards  wherein  the 
Central  Park  was  located.  The  property  in  question  is 
bounded  by  Seventy-eighth  and  Seventy-ninth  streets  and 
Fifth  and  Madison  avenues,  which,  in  1852,  the  year  pre- 
ceding the  passage  of  the  bill,  had  been  sold  for  three 
thousand  dollars.  On  the  prospect  of  the  success  of  the 
movement  by  the  enactment  of  the  proposed  bill  in  the 
Legislature  of  1853,  the  tract  was  disposed  of  for  four 
thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  and  when  the  expected 
legislation  had  been  secured  it  was  resold  for  ten  thousand 
dollars,  having  advanced  within  a  brief  twelve  months  over 
three  hundred  per  cent.  Within  four  years,  in  1857,  a  still 
greater  increase  took  place  in  the  value  of  this  particular 
block,  Mr.  George  Douglass  having  purchased  it  for  forty 


66 


thousand  dollars.  Thus,  in  the  comparatively  brief  period 
of  five  years,  the  enhanced  value  of  the  property  showed 
the  extraordinary  increase  of  over  thirteen  hundred  per 
cent. 

It  would  be  absurd  to  attribute  such  a  rapid  rise  to 
any  other  cause  than  the  establishment  of  our  great  metro- 
politan park.  It  certainly  was  not  produced  by  the  growth 
of  population,  for  at  that  time  a  large  territory  south  of 
Forty-second  street  Avas  still  unoccupied,  and  one  of  the 
principal  arguments,  one  of  the  strongest  objections  urged 
against  the  establishment  of  a  park  so  far  north,  was  its 
distance  from  the  centre  of  population  and  the  difficulty  of 
access.  Many  of  those  who  had  been  most  strenuous  and 
pronounced  in  their  opposition  all  through  the  controversy 
were  among  the  first  to  take  advantage  of  the  advance  and 
profit  by  the  opportunity.  In  1857,  as  stated,  the  piece  of 
land  referred  to  was  sold  for  forty  thousand  dollars  ;  tiuelve 
year's  aftti\  the  owner,  Mr.  George  Douglass,  refused  one 
million  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  for  his  property 
from  Mr.  Vanderhilt  Nor  was  this  the  only  offer  for  the  same 
property — another  of  the  same  amount  was  subsequently 
offered  and  declined.  A  still  higher  value  is  placed  upon 
the  property  to-day. 

We  do  not  propose  to  follow  the  rapid  acceleration  of 
values  throughout  the  territory  in  which  the  park  was 
located.  It  is  sufficient  for  our  purpose  to  show  that  such 
an  increase  was  mainly  due  to  the  wise  foresight  and  judi- 
cious legislation  to  which  we  are  to-day  indebted  for  one  of 
the  most  attractive  and  valuable  institutions  of  our  great 
city.  We  may,  however,  state  without  going  into  details, 
that  lots  on  the  thoroughfares  bounding  the  park  and  on 
the  streets  in  the  immediate  vicinity  were  sold  and  re-sold, 
changing  owners  at  prices  varying  from  one  hundred  to 
twenty,  thirty,  forty,  fifty,  sixty,  and  in  some  instances  to 
one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The  real  estate  market 
never   experienced  such  a  period  of  activity,  and  the  Tax 


69 


Department  of  the  city  was  obliged  year  after  year  to  make 
marked  changes  in  the  figures  showing  the  values  of  the 
property  surrounding  the  park.  Whatever  doubts  might 
have  been  entertained  with  regard  to  the  effect  produced  on 
the  city's  income,  or  of  the  sustained  influence  which  this 
one  great  improvement  exercised  on  real  estate  values,  were 
speedily  dispelled  by  the  records  of  this  department, — by 
what  has  been  so  forcibly  and  expressively  termed  "  the 
illuminating  and  informative  virtue  of  statistics." 

Testimony  from  New  York's  Official  Records. 

In  1850  the  taxable  value  of  the  Twelfth  Ward,  as  shown 
by  the  books  of  the  Tax  Assessors,  amounted  to  $8,356,265. 
This  ward  comprised  the  whole  territory,  which  was  subse- 
quently sub-divided  into  three  wards,  known  as  the  Twelfth, 
Nineteenth  and  Twenty-second. 

In  1853,  by  the  purchase  of  the  land  for  the  park,  mak- 
ing, with  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  required  for  the 
Oroton  reservoir,  and  which  had  been  previously  secured 
by  the  Croton  Aqueduct  Department,  a  total  of  864  acres,  a 
large  tract  was  withdrawn  from  the  taxable  area  of  the  city. 
Under  other  circumstances  so  great  a  reduction  in  the 
amount  of  taxable  property  must  have  been  attended  with 
a  corresponding  decrease  in  the  city's  revenue  from  this 
source  ;  but  in  this  case  the  contrary  effect  was  produced. 

The  acquisition  of  this  territory  and  its  dedication  to  the 
use  of  the  people  was  attended  by  the  most  beneficial  re- 
sults to  the  financial  interests  of  the  city.  The  increase 
which  followed  the  enactment  of  the  law  in  1853  is  shown 
in  the  following  table  giving  the  taxable  values  in  the  three 
wards  every  five  years  : 

Twelfth.  Nineteenth,  Twenty-second.  Totals. 

1856 $8,149,360  $8,041,183  $10,239,022  $26,429,565 

1861 12,454,375  16,986,152  17,666,866  47,107,393 

1866 18,381,650  37,636,050  24,052,715  80,070,415 

1871 50.362,925  77,771,930  57,666,340  185,801,195 

1876 67,238,660  119,156,555  66,449,640  252,844,855 

1881 85.573,039  152,303,375  74,686,475  312,562,889 


70 


From  1850  to  1856  the  increase  amounted  to  $18,073,300, 
and  from  1856  to  1881,  a  quarter  of  a  century,  it  reached 
the  enormous  aggregate  of  $286,133,324.  Despite  the 
financial  revulsion  of  1857, 'the  effects  of  which  were  felt 
for  many  years  after,  the  yalue  of  property  in  those  wards 
had  advanced  over  twentj^-one  millions  of  dollars,  an  in- 
crease of  about  eighty  per  cent.,  while  in  the  rest  of  the 
city  as  shown  by  the  records  of  the  same  department  in 
the  table  given  below,  the  increase  was  a  little  more  than 
twelve  per  cent  : 

Upper  Wards.  Rest  of  City 

1856 $26,429,565  $314,542,533 

1861 47,107,393  359,848,272 

1866 80,070,415  398,924,519 

1871 185,8  '1,195  583,505,215 

1876   252,844,855  639,452,160 

1881 312,562,889  664,172,310 

But  it  is  in  a  comparison  of  the  increased  value  of  real 
estate  in  the  three  upper  wards  with  the  assessed  yalue  of 
the  other  nineteen  wards  that  the  contrast  becomes  so  sig- 
nificant and  suggestive.  While  the  increase  in  the  first 
instance  was  thirteen  hundred  per  cent.,  or  at  the  rate  of 
fifty  per  cent,  a  year,  in  the  latter  the  increase  was  about 
two-fold,  or  a  little  more  than  one  hundred  per  cent.  It 
may  be  said  that  this  increase  was  largely  due  to  the 
growth  of  population,  but  it  is  a  most  significant  fact,  as 
bearing  upon  this  particular  point,  that  within  the  very^ 
period  in  wliicli  this  great  advance  took  place  in  the  three 
upper  wards,  that  is  from  1853  to  1870,  the  whole  country 
was  passing  through  a  gigantic  civil  war,  the  destructive 
effects  of  wliich  on  liuman  life  and  in  keeping  down  the 
natural  increase  of  our  population  was  proved  in  a  pecu- 
liarly painful  and  emphatic  manner  by  the  census  statistics. 

While  the  increase  during  the  decade  from  1850,  when 
the  census  returns  credited  the  city  with  515,547  inhabitants^ 


71 


to  1860,  when  it  had  813,669,  was  58  per  cent.,  the  percent- 
age of  increase  in  the  succeeding  ten  years  from  1860  to 
1870  was  but  16  per  cent.,  the  population  of  1860  being 
813,669,  and  in  1870,  942,292.  In  fact,  long  before  popula- 
tion began  to  extend  in  an  appreciable  degree  to  the  terri- 
tory surrounding  the  park,  the  value  of  real  estate  was 
rapidly  approaching  its  maximum.  In  1873  the  prostration 
of  trade  and  general  commercial  depression  caused  a 
shrinkage  of  values,  but  the  city  had  in  the  meantime 
derived  a  largely  augmented  income  from  that  section. 
The  objection  urged  that  these  values  were  to  a  large 
extent  prospective  in  their  character  only  serves  to  prove 
the  correctness  of  the  assertion  that  the  greatly  enhanced 
value  of  property  in  the  wards  named,  and  during  the 
period  stated,  was  mainly  due  to  the  creation  of  Central 
Park. 

Assuming  that  the  advance  in  the  three  upper  wards 
kept  exact  pace  with  the  balance  of  the  city,  which  from 
1856  to  1881  was  a  little  more  than  two-fold,  their  assessed 
value  would  be  less  than  sixty  millions  of  dollars,  or  about 
one-fifth  of  the  other  nineteen  wards.  But,  as  much  of  this 
is  of  course  to  be  attributed  to  the  settlement  and  building 
up  of  this  territory,  it  is  impossible  to  arrive  at  exact  re- 
sults. 

Comptroller  Hawes  in  his  report  for  the  year  1858  says 
that  "  tlie  increase  in  the  amount  of  taxes  accruing  to  the 
city  in  consequence  of  the  enhancement  in  value  of  real 
estate  situated  in  the  upper  part  of  the  island,  over  and 
above  the  formal  value  of  the  land  now  withdrawn  from 
taxation  on  account  of  the  opening  of  this  noble  park,  will, 
it  is  thought,  afford  more  than  sufficient  means  for  the  pay- 
ment of.  the  interest  on  the  debt  incurred  for  its  purchase 
and  improvement  icithout  any  increase  in  the  general  rate 
of  taxation^  Time  has  more  than  proved  the  correctness 
of  this  statement,  for  the  amount  received  yearly  from  the 


72 

increased  tax  income  from  the  three  wards  constitutes  one- 
third  of  the  whole  tax  levy  of  the  city. 

The  City  makes  Seventeen  Millions  of  Dollars,  and      i 
Acquires  Land  Worth  Two  Hundred  Millions 

From  a  calculation  of  the  increased  tax  income  derived 
from  the  territory  surrounding  Central  Park,  it  is  estimated 
that  the  city  received  seventeen  millions  of  dollars  over  the 
cost  of  the  land,  the  interest  on  the  bonds,  the  expense  of 
maintenance,  improvements,  etc.,  since  the  law  for  its  crea- 
tion was  enacted.  For  the  land  the  amount  paid  was  $6,666,- 
381 ;  on  construction  account,  $9,873,844 ;  for  maintenance, 
$6,500,000  ;  for  interest  during  twenty-five  years,  $20,755,- 
925  ;  making  a  total  of  $43,794,150.  During  this  period  the 
aggregate  amount  of  taxes  collected  in  these  wards,  as 
approximately  calculated,  was  $110,000,000.  Estimating 
fifty  millions  of  this  as  due  to  the  increase  from  ordinary 
causes,  there  would  be  $60,000,000  left,  and  after  deducting 
the  park  expenses,  the  balance  to  the  credit  of  the  city 
would  reach  the  handsome  net  profit  of  seventeen  millions  of 
dollars,  on  this  magnificent  real  estate  transaction. 

This,  however,  was  the  least  portion  of  the  gain,  for  in 
addition  to  the  increased  income,  by  whicli  the  city  was  en- 
abled not  only  to  meet  the  excessive  expenditure  on  the 
construction  and  maintenance  account,  and  to  put  millions 
into  the  municipal  treasury  toward  defraying  other  ex- 
penses, she  acquired  a  tract  of  land  vahied  at  iivo  hundred 
millio7is  of  dollars. 

This  is  the  financial  result  of  the  establishment  of  Central 
Park,  and  that  similar  efi'ects  will  follow  the  enlargement 
of  the  park  area  in  the  Twenty-third  and  Twenty-fourth 
Wards  and  on  the  Sound,  does  not  admit  of  a  doubt.  It  is 
possible  to  purchase  in  that  section  of  the  city  to-day  over 
three  thousand  acres,  or  four  times  the  area  of  the  Central 


73 


Park,  for  about  the  amount  paid  for  that  tract,  minus  the 
space  required  for  the  reservoirs. 

Between  the  Central  and  the  proposed  parks  there  will 
"be  a  marked  difference.  While  the  one  may  be  regarded  to  a 
great  extent  as  artificial  and  ornamental,  and  as  such  impos- 
ing a  heavy  maintenance  expense,  the  others  will  be  rural 
or  suburban  in  their  character,  requiring  a  minimum  of 
expenditure.  The  site  of  the  Central  was  probably  the 
roughest  and  most  unattractive  portion  of  the  island,  and 
involved  great  labor  and  expense  to  bring  it  to  its  present 
condition.  To  maintain  it  in  this  condition  requires  a 
large  yearly  appropriation ;  but  it  is  a  charge  to  which 
the  people  do  not  object,  as  it  is  justly  regarded  as  the 
most  attractive  ornament  of  the  city. 

"  The  Park,"  said  a  New  York  paper,  describing  it  in 
1860,  seven  years  after  the  passage  of  the  bill  providing  for 
the  taking  of  the  land,  "  the  Park  when  purchased  by  the 
city  was  a  straggling  suburb,  covered  with  low,  squalid 
houses,  inhabited  by  a  class  of  persons  whose  occupations 
were  really  nuisances  in  the  eye  of  the  law.  Heaps  of 
cinders,  potshreds  and  broken  bricks  were  scattered  here 
and  there,  and,  in  short,  the  ground  Avas  used  as  a  sort  of 
repository  for  all  sorts  of  rubbish.  ^  ^^  ^  This  un- 
sightly spot  of  ground  is  neither  a  park,  a  stone  yard,  nor  a 
piece  of  ivasie  ground,  though  by  times  it  reminds  you  of  all 
these.  *  -^  -5^  After  three  years'  labor  and  the  expen- 
diture of  millions  of  dollars  New  York  is  almost  as  parkless 
now  as  erer.  For  all  practical  purposes  the  Central  Park 
is  at  present  useless,  and  there  seems  to  be  not  the  slight- 
est probability  that  it  will  answer  the  real  purpose  for 
which  New  Yorkers  need  a  park  for  years  to  come.  In- 
complete, unfinished,  with  only  joromises  here  and  there  of 
good  things  to  come,  with  no  shade,  with  walks  and  drives 
beginning  in  dust,  running  along  sand  banks  and  stone 
yards,  and  ending,  like  humanity,  in  dust  again,  the  Cen- 


74 

tral  Park,  instead  of  attracting  a  greater  number  of  visitors, 
is  losing'  its  habitues  who  flock  away  to  Jones'  "Wood,  to 
Hoboken,  to  any  place  where  there  is  shade,  and  it  is 
visited  now  only  by  a  few  rural  strangers  who  go  to  see 
the  Park  as  they  go  to  see  Barnum's,  or  any  other  of  our 
city  sights." 

The  lands  recommended  for  park  sites  in  the  Twenty- 
third  and  Twenty-fourth  Wards  and  vicinity,  and  on  the 
Sound,  form  natural  parks,  as  will  appear  from  the  de- 
scriptions in  this  report,  and  the  necessary  outlay  to 
fit  them  for  occupation  will  be  proportionately  small 
as  compared  with  the  cost  of  the  artificial  and  ex- 
pensive work  performed  on  the  Central  Park,  which 
as  above  stated  ivas  not  ready  for  public  use  for  many 
years  after  its  j9?(rc/?a.9e.  In  the  case  of  the  Bronx  and 
Van  Cortlandt,  St.  Mary's,  Crotona,  Claremont  and  Pelham 
Bay  Parks,  the  moment  the  land  is  acquired  they  will  be 
ready  for  immediate  use  ;  indeed,  we  have  no  hesitation  in 
predicting  that  immediately  after  the  enactment  of  the 
law,  they  will  be  visited  by  hundreds  of  thousands  of  our 
fellow-citizens. 


Corroborative  Evidence  from  other  Cities. 

The  effect  of  parks  on  real  estate  values,  although  par- 
ticularly pronounced  in  our  own  metropolis,  has  been 
hardly  less  marked  in  other  cities.  From  Boston, 
Chicago,  Buffalo,  Baltimore  and  other  cities,  your 
Commission  is  in  receipt  of  testimony  of  a  similar 
character.  In  March  of  1882,  Mr.  J).  Bayhice,  Secre- 
tary to  the  Park  Commission  of  Baltimore,  wrote  as 
follows  to  the  Secre,tary  of  the  New  York  Park  Associ- 
ation :  "  Druid  Hill  Park,  purchased  in  1860,  is  not 
within  the  city  limits,  but  is  separated  from  it  by  some 
three-eighths    of  a   mile,    which    was    formerly   without   a 


77 


dwelling  for  that  distance.  There  are  now  rows  of  hand- 
some dwellings  lining  the  roads  leading  to  the  park.  The 
cost  of  the  land  within  the  park  limits  was  somewhat 
less  than  $1,000  an  acre.  The  surrounding  property  is 
now  held  at  rates  vastly  higher.  Before  the  park  was 
opened  the  Commission  gave  for  an  undivided  interest  $500 
an  acre ;  they  have  since  had  to  pay  $3,000,  and  more 
than  that  when  they  had  to  condemn  land  within  the  park. 
Rough  hillside  lots,  which  would  scarcely  have  found  a 
purchaser  are  now  held  at  $3,000  in  the  expectation  that 
the  Commission  will  have  to  pay  the  price  to  secure  the 
property  which  juts  into  the  park.  That  the  increased 
value  is  very  great  is  so  palpable  that  no  one  doubts  it." 

From  Mr.  H.  W.  Harmon,  Secretary  of  the  Chicago 
Department,  confirmatory  evidence  was  received  that  "the 
immediate  effect  was  to  double  and  quadruple  property 
values." 

Mr.  Wm.  McMillan,  Superintendent  of  the  Buffalo 
Parks,  stated  that  the  increase  in  the  Seventh,  Eleventh 
and  Twelfth  Wards,  in  which  the  parks  are  situated,  is  370 
per  cent. 

The  experience  of  the  Boston  Commissioners  has  been 
no  less  gratifying.  They,  too,  have  devoted  particular 
attention  to  this  phase  of  the  subject,  and  recognizing  its 
importance  have  collected  evidence  no  less  convincing  than 
that  already  presented.  Of  their  own  city  they  say,  that  in 
1876  they  expressed  the  belief  that  money  expended  in  this 
direction  would  be  "  well  invested  and  quickly  returned  by 
betterments  and  by  the  increase  in  value  of  all  kinds  of 
surrounding  property."  They  inform  us  that  the  assessed 
value  of  lands  adjoining  Back  Bay  Park  in  1877  was 
$11,143,751,  and  that  1881  showed  an  increase  of 
$18,813,649,  yielding  an  augmented  revenue  of  $122,500; 
"  which,"  they  add,  "  is  the  present  monetary  value  of  the 
park  as  affecting  the  city's  income,  representing  a  value  of 


78 


$3,000,000,  at  four  per  cent.,  and  which  justifies  the  opinion 
heretofore  expressed  bj  the  Board  that  the  park  is  not  a  tax 
upon  the  city  at  large,  but  that  the  increased  taxes  from  the  sur- 
rounding jyroperty  pays  its  cost.  The  increase  of  valuation 
is  upon  Lmd  alone,  and  does  not  include  the  buildings.  The 
valuation  of  the  land  in  the  rest  of  the  city  during  the  same 
time,  1877  to  1881,  was  reduced  $27,621,449.  New  build- 
ings have  been  erected  upon  this  territor}-  since  1877 
(which  was  valued  by  the  assessors  in  1881  at  $3,992,300), 
which  are  due,  in  a  large  measure,  to  the  influence  of  the 
park,  and  from  which  the  city  derives  an  income  this  year 
of  $55,492." 

A  reference  to  the  description  of  the  parks  of  Brooklyn, 
which  will  be  found  under  its  appropriate  caption  further 
on  in  this  report,  adds  still  greater  weight  to  the  testimony 
on  this  point  and  shows  that  the  same  financial  results 
followed  in  this  instance,  as  in  every  other,  the  appropria- 
tion of  large  tracts  of  lands  for  public  pleasure  grounds. 

Mode  of  Payment— The  Parks  Will  More  Than  Pay 

FOR  Themselves  and  Leave  the  Title  in 

THE  City,  Free  of  Cost. 

One  of  the  first  and  strongest  objections  which  have  been 
urged  against  the  enlargement  of  the  park  area  of  New 
York  is  the  heavy  expense,  which,  it  is  said,  it  must 
necessarily  entail  upon  the  city  and  the  onerous  burden  it 
would  impose  upon  the  taxpayers.  That  there  should  be 
more  parks  is  conceded  and  that  it  is  wise  to  purchase  the 
required  land  while  it  can  be  secured  at  the  lowest  price,  is 
also  admitted  ;  but  it  is  contended  that  the  debt  of  the 
city  should  not  be  increased  and  that  any  measure  which 
adds  to  its  present  bulk  should  receive  the  most  careful 
consideration.  Your  Commission  fully  appreciating  the 
importance  of  the  work  in  which  they  have   been  engaged 


79 


and  to  which  they  have  given  much  thought  and  labor  and 
a  thorough  examination,  have  arrived  at  the  conclusion 
that  the  present  is  the  most  favorable  time  of  all  the 
times  to  come,  for  the  increase  of  the  area  of  our  recre- 
ation grounds,  that  for  the  reasons  stated  elsewhere 
in  their  report  and  which  are  sustained  by  official 
and  financial  statements,  the  outlay  instead  of  being  a 
burden  on  the  city  wall,  as  experience  has  proved  in  our 
own  case  and  that  of  other  cities,  aiford  a  largely  increased 
revenue  and  result  in  equalizing  the  rate  of  taxation. 

It  is  obvious  from  the  history  of  parks  here  and  else- 
where that  property  adjacent  thereto  is  largely  benefited, 
and  that  the  benefit  conferred  is  proportioned  to  its 
proximity.  The  increase  of  value  varying,  as  we  have 
shown,  from  two  hundred  fold  to  an  almost  incredible 
amount,  has  not  only  greatly  augmented  the  income  of  the 
city,  but  it  has  helped  its  munici]3al  government  to  defray 
other  and  unavoidable  expenses,  particularly  those  of 
necessary  public  works.  The  facts  and  conclusions  are 
so  clear  and  convincing  that  they  leave  no  room  for  doubt 
or  misapprehension  on  this  point.  If  a  lot  bordering  on 
the  park  is  worth,  for  instance,  $1,000  before  the  location 
of  the  site,  and  its  value  is  thereafter  doubled,  the  taxes 
are  proportionately  increased,  and  every  subsequent 
advance  inures  not  only  to  the  benefit  of  the  city  treasury, 
but  to  the  advantage  of  property  in  other  wards  by  equal- 
izing the  rate  of  taxation.  Thus,  as  we  have  shown,  Avhile 
property  in  nineteen  wards  increased  only  two-fold  from  1856 
to  1881,  the  taxable  value  of  the  three  wards  in  which  the 
Central  Park  was  located  advanced/rom  about  tweiiiy-six 
and  a  half  millions  to  over  three  hundred  and  tioelve  millions 
on  the  same  property,    an  increase  o/ twelve  hundred  per 

CENT.,  CONTRIBUTING    ONE-THIRD    OF    THE    EXPENSES     OF     THE 

WHOLE  CITY.  So  that  this  great  pleasure-ground  not  only 
paid  the  interest  on  its  bonds  at  seven  per  cent,  hut  the  cost 


80 


of  maintenance  and  the  principal,  leaving  a  large  surplus   to 
the  profit  side  of  the  account  besides  the  land. 

It  should  be  particularly  noted  here  that  while  the  bonds- 
issued  for  the  purchase  of  the  land  of  the  Central  Park 
and  the  work  of  construction  paid  seven  per  cent,  interest, 
the  rate  of  interest  to-day  is  one-half  that  figure,  or  three 
and  one-half  per  cent.,  and  that  no  loan  will  be  required 
for  construction  account,  as  nature  has  already  performed 
that  part  of  the  work.  If,  therefore,  the  purchase  price  is 
paid  by  city  bonds,  the  payment,  coming  from  taxation  on 
largely  increased  values,  is  as  equally  distributed  as  it  can 
possibly  be,  for  such  taxation  is  in  proportion  to  the  in- 
crease in  the  value  of  property. 

This  mode  of  payment  seems  the  fairer  and  more 
equable  for  the  additional  reasons  that  the  surrounding 
property  will  come  in  for  assessments  for  streets,  and  other 
improvements  by  which  the  city  at  large  will  be  benefited ; 
and,  besides,  when  all  is  done,  the  absolute  title  to  the  land 
embraced  in  the  parks,  will  belong,  not  to  the  neighboring 
owners,  but,  with  all  its  enhanced  and  enhancing  values, 
to  the  city  itself  There  does  not  seem  any  fair  reason  why 
the  owners  in  the  vicinity  of  the  parks  should  pay  a  part 
of  the  purchase  price  of  property  to  be  absolutely  vested 
in  the  city. 

The  testimony  from  other  cities  is  of  the  same  conclusive 
character,  particularly  in  the  case  of  the  Back  Bay  Park  of 
Boston,  a  tract  of  over  one  hundred  acres,  tho  result  proving, 
in  the  words  of  the  Park  Commissioners  of  that  City  (already 
quoted),  "  that  the  park  is  not  a  tax  upon  the  city  at  large, 
but  that  increased  taxation  from  the  sarrounding  property 
pays  its  cost.''  Moreover,  while  these  j^arks  would  not  oni;^* 
be  paid  for  out  of  the  increased  revenue  derived  from  the 
enhancement  of  taxable  values,  there  would  be  a  surplus  to 
be  devoted  to  the  construction  of  necessary  public  works, 
such  as  the  newCroton  aqueduct, — and  probably  enough  to 


81 


discharge  the  entire  cost  thereof — and  the  city  itself  wonld 
have  in  addition  large  areas  of  land,  like  the  Central  Park, 
— but  five  times  larger — worth  hundreds  of  millions  of 
dollars. 

While  it  may  be  urged  that  the  analogy  between  the 
Central  Park  and  the  parks  herein  recommended,  is,  in  one 
respect,  not  wholly  sustained,  in  regard  to  enhancement  of 
taxable  values,  for  the  reasons  : 

First. — That  any  increase  of  value  of  the  lands  north  of 
Yan  Cortlandt  Park  would  inure  to  the  benefit  of  Yonkers, 
instead  of  New  York  (which,  however,  would  not  apply, 
should  that  portion  of  Yonkers,  as  it  probably  soon  will, 
gravitate  to  our  own  city)  ; 

Second. — While  it  is  true,  that  that  portion  of  the 
lands,  on  the  west  of  this  park,  which  constitute  Woodlawn 
Cemetery  would  not  give  the  city  treasury  the  benefit  of 
any  increased  taxation ;  and 

Third. — That  Pelham  Bay  Park,  being  so  largely  em- 
braced by  the  water  of  the  Sound,  could  only  enhance 
those  lands  which  neighbor  it,  outside  of  Pelhain  Neck 
(though  this  would  not  apply  to  the  lands  of  City  Island 
lying  southwesterly  of  Pelham  Neck) ; — yet  it  may  be 
answered,  with  more  or  less  effect,  that  residential  lands 
along  the  coast  would,  after  the  establishment  of  Pel- 
ham Bay  Park,  be  the  most  enviable  and  valuable  of 
any  within  the  city  ;  and  that  the  restriction  of  benefit  in 
any  one  direction,  would  tend  to  make  the  enhancement 
greater  in  every  other. 

When,  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  remembered  that  the 
purchase  price  of  Central  Park,  small  as  the  acreage  is,  was 
nearly  as  large  as  the  price  of  the  large  domain  herein  recom- 
mended will  be  ;  and  that  the  expenditure  for  putting  it  in 
order  and  maintaining  it  for  thirty  years,  has  been  far 
greater  than  will  be  required  for  the  same^purpose  through 
an  equal  time,  for  these  natural  parks  ;  and  also,  that,  not- 
G 


82 


withstanding  the  restrictions  above  mentioned,  there  will 
yet  be  around  the  3,500  acres  of  the  new  parks  a  much 
larger  quantity  of  vicinage  lands  to  be  benefited,  than  there 
was  around  the  864  acres  of  the  Central  Park,  it  must  needs 
follow,  that,  in  the  next  thirty  years,  the  relative  propor- 
tion, and  indeed  the  absolute  total  of  enhancement  of 
taxable  values,  caused  by  these  new  parks,  will  be  far 
greater  than  that  which  has  resulted  from  the  Central. 

The  Moral  Aspect  of  the  Question— The  Remedy  for 
A  Great  Evil. 

Having  dwelt  so  long  upon  the  material  advantages 
resulting  from  the  creation  of  parks,  the  physical  benefit 
to  the  people  and  the  pecuniary  gain  to  the  city  treasury, 
it  will  not  be  deemed  irrelevant  or  out  of  place  to  refer 
to  the  higher  and  larger  profits  to  be  derived  from  them. 
True  these  profits  cannot  be  calculated  in  dollars  and 
cents ;  they  cannot  be  converted  into  capital  of  any 
kind ;  they  cannot  be  weighed  in  any  material  balance, 
but  they  are  none  the  less  real  and  valuable  on  that 
account.  Anything  that  tends  to  refine  the  manners  and 
elevate  the  character  of  a  people  is  an  inestimable  advan- 
tage, and  the  government  that  recognizes  this  fact  and  acts 
upon  it,  that  provides  its  people  with  rural  resorts,  spacious 
and  picturesque,  may  expend  less  money  on  prisons  and 
reformatories.  The  more  parks,  the  fewer  penitentiaries  ; 
the  more  pleasure-grounds,  the  fewer  hospitals. 

It  is  conceded  that  confined  dwellings  and  fetid  air  and 
gases  have  a  deadly  effect  upon  the  moral  as  well  as  the 
physical  nature  of  man  ;  that  in  such  places  vice  flourishes 
as  weeds  in  a  rank,  congenial  soil  ;  that  there  boys  and  girls 
graduate  and  take  their  degrees  in  the  criminal  sciences, 
and  it  is  equally  and  indisputably  true  that  contact  with 
nature  has    a  regenerating  effect,  that  it  invigorates  the 


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85 


frame,  purifies  the  heart,  and  stimulates  the  intellect.  It 
is  impossible  to  overestimate  its  silent  influence.  It  is  no 
wonder  that  the  Greeks  and  Romans  peopled  their  woods 
and  hills  and  streams  Avith  gregarious  deities.  That  was 
their  mode  of  accounting  for  the  influence  nature  exercises 
over  man,  for  the  elevation  it  imparts  to  his  thoughts,  the 
wings  it  lends  to  his  imagination.  Of  course  we  sneer  at 
such  "mythologic  stuff,"  but  even  while  doing  so,  we  can 
imagine  airy,  fanciful  creations  springing  into  full  perfec- 
tion from  the  pen  or  pencil  of  some  future  artist,  in  words 
or  colors,  whose  first  inspiration  came  to  him  under  "  the 
windows  of  the  sky ''  in  some  spacious  suburban  pleasure- 
ground.  One  of  the  speakers  who  addressed  a  public 
meeting  held  by  your  Commission  justly  claimed  for  parks 
an  educating  influence  upon  the  people  ;  "Art,"  he  tersely 
said,  "  had  had  its  ups  and  downs  and  critics  had  fallen 
foul  of  it,  but  as  yet  no  critic  had  tackled  nature.  No  man 
ever  got  so  old,  or  woman  so  unpoetic,  as  not  to  be  able  to 
appreciate  great  landscapes."  Human  beings  are  so  con- 
stituted that  the  surroundings  from  which  one  gains 
health  and  strength  and  beauty  may  impart  to  another 
original  ideas  on  art  or  science,  high  thoughts  on 
duties  and  responsibilities,  lofty  projects  of  benevo- 
lence, or  daring  schemes  of  adventure.  But  the  sur- 
roundings that  produce  such  results  are  not  to  be 
found  in  the  overcrowded  tenement  districts,  with  their 
offensive  odors  and  pestilential  atmosphere  that  sap  the 
vigor  of  the  body  and  the  strength  of  the  mind.  Then 
should  not  Christian  feeling  and  patriotic  spirit  combine, 
and  acting  together  force  an  outlet  through  which  our 
working  population  may  emerge  into  the  mind-developing, 
body-strengthening  air  and  sunlight? 

We  cannot  help,  in  this  connection,  recurring  to  a 
subject  so  fraught  Avith  vital  importance  to  hundreds 
of    thousands    of    the    dwellers    of    the    great    metropolis 


S6 


— the  tenement-liouse — where  men,  women,  beys  luid 
girls,  the  infant  of  a  clay  and  the  octogenarian,  are 
crammed,  Layer  over  layer,  into  close,  confined,  un- 
ventilated  rooms ;  where  privacy  is  unknown ;  the  seat 
of  disease  and  the  hotbed  of  3vil ;  a  feature  of  New 
York,  and  of  no  other  city  in  the  civilized  world.  It  was  a 
necessity  of  our  limitations.  Our  population  was  bounded 
by  water-walls,  and  could  not  stretch  beyond,  and  so — for 
it  must  grow — it  was  obliged  to  pile  up,  story  above  story, 
and  crowd  into  narrower  spaces.  No  one  can  realize  the 
sufferings  of  the  denizens  of  some  of  these  miserable 
abodes  without  a  shudder. 

But  New  York  has  broken  through  her  barriers  on  the 
north  and  east ;  reclaimed  many  of  her  people  who  had 
fled  to  New  Jersey  and  Long  Island,  and  invites  them  and 
the  crowds,  packed  like  sardines  in  her  tenement-houses,  to 
fresh  air,  to  pleasant  views,  to  held  and  wood,  to  health 
and  joy  in  her  new  domain.  Centralize  her  business — for 
that  cheapens  the  cost  of  its  transaction  ;  decentralize  and 
diffuse  her  population — for  that  gives  health,  comfort,  and 
the  capacity  to  toil. 

It  should  be  understood  that  the  parks  are  not  for  any 
particular  "class" — so  called.  The  objectionable  term 
^'  poorer  classes  "  has  been  used  without  a  proper  regard 
to  the  meaning  of  the  words,  or  the  odious  distinction 
which  they  imply.  In  this  land,  thank  Hi^aven  !  the  people 
are  not  divided  into  classes,  and  in  the  matter  of  public 
parks  it  is  the  interest  and  welfare  of  the  whole  people 
which  is  considered.  The  "poor  man''  of  to-day,  with 
the  opportunities  which  this  free  land  places  within  the 
reach  of  talent  and  well  directed  energy,  may  be  the 
millionaire  of  to-morrow. 


87 


The  Sites  Selected. 

Van  Cortlandt  Park  and  Lake. 

Your  Commission  lias,  after  many  visits  and  minute  ex- 
amination o^  the  section  of  tlie  city  comprised  within  the 
Twenty-third  and  Twenty-fourth  Wards,  been  most  favora- 
bly impressed  with  the  tract  known  as  the  Yan  Cortlandt 
estate,  and  its  immediate  surroundings,  as  possessing,  in 
its  varied  topography,  ample  spaces,  charming  views,  cheap- 
ness, natural  condition,  and  peculiar  adaptability  for  park 
purposes.  Over  a  thousand  acres  can  here  be  obtainetl 
in  one  tract,  presenting  a  remarkable  combination  of  forest, 
hill  and  valley,  rock  and  glen,  meadow,  lake  and  stream. 
It  is  in  fact  a  natural  park,  requiring  but  little  outlay  to 
fit  it  for  immediate  use.  Although  at  the  northern 
extremity  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Ward,  it  can  be  reached 
within  half  an  hour,  even  now,  by  rail  from  the  Grand 
Central  depot,  and  the  New  York  City  and  Northern 
Railroad  passes  immediately  through  it  to  Yonkers, 
conveying  to  it  visitors  from  the  present  most  densely 
populated  portions  of  the  city  in  much  less  than  an 
hour.  But  the  centre  of  dense  population  moves  so  rapid!* 
northward,  that  it  will  take  but  a  few  years  to  brin,i7  .s 
border  on  the  Yan  Cortlandt  Park. 

The  Hudson  Iliver  Hailroad  runs  within  less  tlr  a  mile 
of  its  western  boundary,  while  the  Harlem  E-ailro  t  is  within 
the  same  distance  of  its  eastern  limit ;  and  when  the  Harlem 
river  improvements  shall  have  been  completed,  large 
steamers  can  approach  its  southern  extremity,  and  j^lace 
their  passengers  within  fifteen  minutes'  walk  of  its  grounds. 
If  the  contemplated  Arcade  Railroad  shall  be  built,  it  will 


88 


lessen  the  time  between  the  Battery  and  Van  Cortlandt 
Park,  to  thirty  minutes.  It  is  in  point  of  time  much 
nearer  to  the  centre  of  population  than  the  Central  Park 
when  it  was  purchased  by  the  city,  and  with  this  great 
advantaQ;e  in  its  favor,  that  when  secured  throuij^h  the 
required  forms  of  law,  as  provided  for  in  the  accompanying 
bill,  it  can  be  thrown  open  at  once  to  the  people.  Little 
expense  need  be  incurred  beyond  that  absolutely  necessary 
for  the  laying  out  and  construction  of  some  miles  of 
additional  roads  and  walks  and  the  maintenance  of  a  proper 
degree  of  neatness  and  order. 

The  Park  Department  have  already  outlined  about  200 
acres  of  this  tract  of  land  including  the  lake,  and  by  the 
filing  of  the  map  as  required  by  law  it  has  been  dedicated 
to  public  use  as  a  park.  But  as  the  area  should,  in  the 
opinion  of  your  Commission,  be  enlarged,  and,  as  experience 
has  shown,  the  proceedings  to  obtain  title  may  not  be  had 
for  years,  the  tract  in  question  having  been  located  and 
designated  on  the  ofiicial  maps  four  or  five  years  ago,  and 
no  steps  yet  taken  in  this  direction  either  in  this  case 
or  that  of  the  proposed  Bronx  park,  the  needs  of  the 
city  and  true  economy  demand  that  the  property  which  is 
daily  accumulating  value,  should  be  secured  at  the  earliest 
day.  The  necessity  of  speedy  action  has  been  shown  in  the 
case  of  the  addition  to  Central  Park,  and  which,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  serious  mistake  that  liad  been  made  in  delay- 
ing its  acquisition,  cost  five  times  as  much  per  acre  as  the 
northern  portion  of  the  original  and  larger  tract. 

The  advantages  afforded  by  the  Van  Cortlandt  Park 
consist  not  only  in  its  diversified  and  picturesque  land- 
scape, but  in  the  spacious  parade  ground  of  nearly  one 
liundred  and  twenty  acres,  and  a  level  stretch  of  land 
extending  in  one  straight  line  to  a  length  of  over  fifteen  hun- 
dred yards,  which  at  little  cost  can  be  converted  into  a 
most  desirable   rifle   range. 


89 


Tlie  lake  of  pure  fresh  water  is  supplied  by  the  ever- 
dowing  brook  known  by  its  Indian  title  of  the  Mosholu,  as 
well  as  by  several  natural  springs.  It  covers  an  extent  of 
sixty  acres,  which  can  be  easily  increased  by  artificial  means 
to  a  surface  of  at  least  one  hundred,  forming  one  of  the 
chief  attractions  of  the  landscape.  As  the  supply  of  w^ater 
is  continuous  no  danger  from  malaria  is  to  be  apprehended 
like  that  which,  it  is  said,  arises  from  the  stagnant  water 
in  one  at  least  of  the  Central  Park  lakes,  to  which  attention 
has  been  repeatedly  directed  by  the  press.  The  brook  is 
capable  of  being  readily  widened,  and  may  be  made  to  form 
a  particularly  interesting  feature  in  the  general  plan  of  the 
park. 

If  thrown  open  throughout  its  whole  extent,  the  people 
can  enjoy  themselves  strolling  over  its  broad  plains  and 
rambling  through  its  well-shaded  woods,  and  over  its  sightly 
knolls,  and  the  cost  of  keeping  it  in  a  condition  suitable  to 
such  general  use  need  be  comparatively  trifling.  No  ex- 
pensive embellishments,  no  costly  structures  would  be 
required ;  the  place  can  depend  on  its  natural  advantages. 
On  every  side  are  spread  landscapes  that  would  delight  an 
artist's  eye.  Looking  south  from  the  ancient  mansion,  wdth 
its  grotesque  corbels  and  quaint  devices,  nearly  a  century  and 
a  half  old,  a  magnificent  view  is  had  of  the  Spuyten  Duyvil 
Valley,  with  the  flanking  hills  on  either  side,  and  occasional 
glimpses  of  the  great  city  to  the  south.  Less  than  ten 
minutes  by  rail  is  the  gigantic  and  graceful  structure  of 
High  Bridge,  a  continuation  of  the  Croton  Aqueduct  that 
passes  directly  through  the  Yan  Cortlandt  estate  from 
north  to  south.  The  extensive  lawn  in  front  of  the 
dwelling  descends  by  a  series  of  terraces  into  the  valley 
below ;  a  relic  of  the  old  Dutch  style  of  landscape  garden- 
ing. To  the  east  of  the  mansion  there  are  several  fine 
evergreens  and  a  line  of  grand  old  chestnuts  that  were 
planted  nearly  a   century  ago.      From  the  hills  that  over- 


90 


look  the  lake,  the  towering  Palisades  of  the  Hudson  are 
visible,  with  the  noble  river  flowing  at  their  base,  while  to 
the  north  the  County  of  Westchester  discloses  many  a 
varied,  extensive  and  picturesque  scene. 

Within  the  area  selected  by  your  Commission  can  be 
found  an  extensive  tract  of  land  for  a  reservoir  of  ample 
capacity  to  supply  the  hundreds  of  thousands  of  residents 
who  will,  in  the  near  future,  occupy  this  portion  of  the 
Twenty-fourth  Ward.  Indeed,  the  necessity  of  making 
such  provision  in  time  has  already  been  suggested  to  the 
Croton  Aqueduct  Commission  by  prominent  citizens,  and 
the  subject  is  referred  to  here  as  of  special  importance  in 
connection  with  the  question  of  our  future  water  supply. 

It  is  Avorthy  of  note  that  our  reservoirs  have  heretofore 
been  placed  within  our  park  limits,  and  in  tlie  present  in- 
stance the  Van  Cortlandt  Park  has  not  only  the  advantage 
of  location,  but  the  req^uired  topographical  conditions  to 
recommend  it  for  this  special  j^urpose — with  natural 
ranges,  instead  of  artificial  embankments,  on  two  sides 
of  the  reservoir.  AVe  may  add  that  the  line  of  the 
new  Croton  aqueduct,  as  projected  by  the  Commission, 
runs  directly  througli  this  park  from  north  to  south, 
a  circumstance  which,  in  its  relation  to  the  reservoir 
question,  is  regarded  by  your  Commission  as  deserving  of 
particular  consideration.  The  fact  that  there  is  on  tliis 
tract  an  inexhaustible  sup})ly  of  stone  which  would  be 
available  in  the  work  of  construction,  affords  an  additional 
and  substantial  reason  in  favor  of  its  appropriation  by  the 
city.  A  portion  of  the  stone  of  which  the  present  Croton 
acqueduct  was  constructed,  Avas  obtained  from  this  hind, 
and  the  City  has  been,  for  several  years  paying  the  pro- 
prietor a  royalty  for  the  supply  obtained  from  his  quarries. 

On  the  map  of  this  portion  of  the  city,  filed  in  the  Park 
Department,  the  streets  laid  out  witliin  t\\o  space  which 
your  Commission  lias   indicated  as  eminently  adapted   for 


93 


this  rural  park  extend  to  an  aggregate  length  of  twenty-five 
miles,  involving  in  the  work  of  construction,  consisting  of 
opening,  grading,  regulating,  paving,  flagging,  guttering 
and  sewering,  a  cost  per  mile,  according  to  a  reasonable 
estimate — based  on  experience — of  $150,000,  or  a  total 
street  expense  for  this  tract  of  one  thousand  acres,  of 
nearly  $4,000,000.  If  the  land  should  be  appropriated  for 
public  use  in  the  manner  designated,  at  least  three-fourths 
of  this  expense  will  be  avoided,  and  a  great  saving  to  the 
city  and  the  owners  of  property  in  this  ward  be  effected. 
So  that  the  cost  of  laying  out  and  completing  the  required 
streets  through  this  tract,  if  the  same  should  not  be  taken 
for  a  park,  will  be  far  more  than  the  cost  of  the  title  to  the 
entire  grounds,  if  taken  for  a  park.  When,  in  addition  to 
this  saving,  the  enhancement  of  the  value  of  the  land  by 
reason  of  its  proximity  to  the  park  is  considered,  there  can 
be  but  one  conclusion  as  to  the  pecuniary  advantage  result- 
ing to  the  city. 

The  same  remarks  are  apj^licable,  and  of  equal  force, 
in  regard  to  all  the  other  parks  recommended. 

A  Parade  Ground  and  Rifle  Range  for  the  National 

Guard. 

By  the  appropriation  of  the  Van  Cortlandt  estate  and 
a  portion  of  the  contiguous  land,  the  First  Division  of  the 
National  Guard  will,  for  the  first  time  in  their  history,  have 
at  their  command  a  space  sufficient  for  their  proper  educa- 
tion in  the  practical  duties  of  the  citizen  soldier.  They 
have,  for  years,  been  dependent  on  the  courtesy  of  the 
Brooklyn  authorities  on  the  occasion  of  special  parades, 
and  every  effort  which  has  been  made  to  supply  this  defi- 
ciency has  been  unsuccessful.  When  the  Central  Park 
was  laid  out  it  was  understood  that  an  ample  tract  would 
be  set  apart  for  their  use  ;  but  the  pledge,   whether  given 


94 


or  merely  implied,  was  uever  kept ;  nor,  indeed,  was  there 
any  adequate  space  within  its  drives  and  walks  for  mili- 
tary evolutions  on  a  large  scale.  By  special  enactment 
a  piece  of  land  in  another  locality  was  appropriated,  but 
the  law  was  subsequently  repealed  and  their  claims  have 
ever  since  been  systematically  ignored.  It  is  to  be  hoped 
that  the  present  opportunity  to  make  amends  for  this 
unworthy  treatment  will  not  be  neglected.  We  owe  at 
least  this  return  to  that  efficient  and  excellent  organization 
which  is  ever  ready  when  danger  threatens  the  good  order 
and  peace  of  society,  to  risk  the  lives  of  its  members  for 
the  protection  of  life  and  property,  and  whose  name  is  a 
"  tower  of  strength  "  and  a  defence. 

The  location  of  a  parade  ground  within  the  park  does 
not  mean  that  it  shall  be  exclusively  occupied  as  such,  or 
that  its  use  shall  be  confined  to  the  military.  At  all  times 
when  it  is  not  required  for  the  purposes  to  which  it  is  to 
be  specially  applied,  it  will  be  open  to  the  people  for  phy- 
sical exercise,  for  all  athletic  sports  and  games,  while  pic- 
nics, excursions  and  other  parties  will  have  ample  space 
for  social  enjoyment  and  healthful  recreation. 

Such  a  space  would  become  a  resort  for  athletic  and 
sportive  games  by  clubs  from  many  cities  of  the  Union. 

Apart,  however,  from  the  right  to  the  use  and  occupation 
of  a  portion  of  the  proposed  park,  which  should  be  con- 
ceded to  the  National  Guard,  the  public  will  find  in  the 
brilliant  military  displays  afforded  by  the  field  drills,  pa- 
rades, and  manoeuvres  on  a  large  scale,  new  features  of  in- 
terest and  attraction.  From  the  elevated  points  overlook- 
ing the  level  tracts,  the  various  evolutions  and  movements 
of  from  five  to  fifteen  thousand  men  can  be  witnessed  by  at 
least  two  hundred  thousand  spectators,  and  it  is  needless 
to  say  that  when  the  whole  force  of  the  city,  with  probably 
additions   from    other  divisions,  would  unite   in   a   grand 


95 

review — infantry,  cavalry,  and  artillery — the  lines  of  rail- 
roads would  be  crowded  with  men,  women,  and  children, 
all  eager  to  be  present  at  these  brilliant  spectacles. 

Landmarks  and  Traditions  of  1776. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  here  to  state  that  this  par- 
ticular part  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Ward,  forming  as  it  did 
before  the  act  of  annexation  was  passed,  a  portion  of 
Westchester  County,  played  a  prominent  part  in  the  war  of 
the  Kevolution,  and  the  manorial  residence  of  the  Van 
Cortlandts,  a  substantial  old  mansion,  erected,  as  shown 
by  the  quaint  stone  numerals  engraved  on  its  front,  in  the 
year  1748,  was  for  a  brief  space  occupied  by  General 
Washington,  who  from  this  point  kept  himself  informed  by 
actual  observation  and  report  of  the  whereabouts  of  the 
British  forces.  In  1783  he  revisited  the  place  and,  with 
his  staff,  occupied  the  dwelling  for  the  three  days  imme- 
diately preceding  the  evacuation  of  New  York  by  the  Eng- 
lish. The  bread,  of  which  this  distinguished  guest  par- 
took was  made  of  the  flour  ground  in  the  old  mill  repre- 
sented in  one  of  the  views  of  Yan  Cortlandt  Park  and, 
during  the  War  of  Independence,  the  same  old  mill  served 
both  friends  and  foes  of  American  liberty ;  both  red  coats 
and  Continentals,  as  it  changed  owners  in  the  varying 
fortunes  of  the  contest,  and  still  stands  a  most  interesting 
memorial  of  that  day.  It  would,  of  course,  be  most  desira- 
ble to  preserve,  as  has  been  done  with  the  headquarters  at 
Newburgh,  so  interesting  and  valuable  a  relic  of  "  the  time 
that  tried  men's  souls."  The  extensive  tract  comprised  in  the 
Yan  Cortlandt  estate  was,  in  fact,  debatable  ground  dur- 
ing the  Revolutionary  war  ;  Kingsbridge,  which  lies  about  a 
mile  to  the  south,  constituting  the  "  barrier"  of  the  British 
lines.  In  accordance  with  an  order  of  Congress,  dated 
May  25,  1775,  a  post  was  established  at  this  point  for  the 


96 


purpose  of  keeping  open  communication  between  New 
York  and  the  country.  Here  the  outposts  of  both  armies 
had  occasional  encounters,  and  the  records  of  more  than 
one  fierce  struggle  are  found  in  the  bullets,  bayonets,  frag- 
ments of  muskets,  and  other  relics  which  are  occasionally 
turned  up  in  the  Avork  of  excavation. 

When  Washington  decided,  in  the  eventfiilJuly  of  1781, 
to  join  Lafayette  at  Yorktown,  he  lighted  his  camp  fires  on 
the  summit  of  Vault  Hill,  the  better  to  deceive  the  enemy 
with  regard  to  his  movements.  The  vault  which  gives  its 
name  to  this  eminence,  from  which  an  excellent  view  is 
afforded  of  the  surrounding  country,  was  the  burial  place 
of  this  historic  family,  and  along  its  slopes  and  down 
through  the  valley  of  the  Mosholu,  many  a  bloody  skir- 
mish took  place  between  the  outposts  of  the  two  armies. 
A  sanguinary  fi^lit  between  a  body  of  Stockbridge  Indians, 
who  were  firm  allies  of  the  patriots,  and  a  portion  of  the 
British  force,  has  left  its  memento  in  the  grave  which  en- 
closes the  remains  of  forty  red  men,  and  which  is  to-day 
known  as  '*  Indian  Field." 

But  the  Revolutionary  reminiscences  and  traditions  of 
the  place  are  so  numerous  as  to  forbid  more  than  a  passing 
reference.  Even  that,  however,  is  enough  to  show  that  this 
tract  possesses,  in  addition  to  its  singular  suitability  for  a 
grand  public  park,  parade  ground  and  rifle  range,  an 
historical  interest  which  in  these  days  of  centennial  cele- 
brations gives  it  a  special  value — a  value  that  will  increase 
as  time  rolls  on  and  those  grand  old  days  recede  further  and 
further  into  the  past.  In.leed,  it  would  seem  especially 
appropriate,  that  on  the  very  ground  where  so  much  was 
accomplished  to  gain  our  fieedom,  our  citizen  soldiery 
should  find  its  school  for  the  education  and  training 
necessary  to  maintain  it.  When  the  generation  that  clasped 
bands  Avitli  the  men  who  fought  and  fell  on  those  fields, 
watered  by  "the  red  raii;  that  made  the   harvest"   of  free- 


97 


dom  "grow,"  have  passed  away  ;  when  the  remembrance  of 
their  deeds  transmitted  from  father  to  son  grows  fainter 
with  each  remove  ;  when  it  is  transferred  from  the  memory 
of  the  patriot  descendants  and  legatees  to  the  vigilant 
guardianship  of  history  and  the  loving  custody  of  tra- 
dition, then  those  hallowed  spots  will  have  an  interest 
for  liberty-loving  pilgrims  from  all  parts  of  the  world,  sur- 
passing extent  of  view,  or  beauty  of  outline.  These  are 
shrines  where  patriotism  is  taught,  not  by  wordy  harangues, 
but  by  stern  example,  and  wherever  possible  they  should 
be  preserved  ;  for  no  matter  how  glorious  the  succeeding 
years  of  the  Republic  have  be3n,  and  the  future  may  be, 
the  roots  of  her  power  and  her  glory  can  be  found  only  in 
the  battlefields  of  the  Revolution. 

Among  the  many  pieces  of  land  that  were  considered 
available  for  the  use  of  our  citizen  soldiers,  and  that  had 
been  personally  inspected  by  the  Major-General  and  officers 
of  the  First  Division  of  the  National  Guard,  the  tract  de- 
scribed was  regarded  as  the  most  suitable.  No  such  ground 
could  be  had  elsewhere,  affording  the  same  easy  means  of 
access,  without  entailing  a  heavy  expense  to  the  city,  and 
though  probably  not  quite  so  extensive  as  could  be  desired, 
yet  for  the  reasons  already  given  it  was  deemed,  after  a 
careful  examination,  to  be  the  best  that  could  be  selected. 
"Your  Commission,  unwilling,  however,  to  rely  solely  on 
their  own  judgment  in  a  matter  of  such  importance,  con- 
sulted those  best  qualified  to  judge,  as  will  be  seen  by  the 
following  correspondence  between 


L  R.  Marsh  and  Major-General  Shaler. 

Desiring  to  obtain  the  views  and  opinions  of  Major 
General  Shaler,  the  Commander  of  the  First  Division,  the 
following  letter  was  addressed  to  that  distinguished  officer. 


98 


from  Avhom   the    subjoined    reply,    confirming   their   own 
judgment  in  the  matter,  was  received  : 

CoMsnssioN  TO  Select  and  Locate  Sites  for  Parks,  ) 
New  York,  June  25,  1883.  \ 

Major-General  Shaxer  : 

Dear  Sir — You  have  been  informed  through  the  public  press 
that,  under  an  act  of  the  last  Legislature  of  this  State,  a  Commission 
has  been  appointed  by  the  Mayor  and  confirmed  by  the  Board  of 
Aldermen,  "to  select  and  locate  lands  for  public  parks  in  the 
Twenty -third  and  Twenty-fourth  Wards  of  the  City  of  New  York,  and 
in  the  vicinity  thereof." 

In  view  of  the  remarkable  jjrogress  and  growth  of  our  city  and 
the  inadequacy  of  its  park  area  to  the  present  and  future  demands  of 
its  rapidly  increasing  population,  this  action  of  the  Legislature  was 
dictated  by  a  wise  foresight  and  a  true  economy. 

It  will  be  generally  conceded  that  within  such  area  as  may  be 
selected  by  the  Commission  there  should  be  a  certain  space  set  apart 
for  the  military  evolutions  of  our  citizen  soldiers,  and  also  for  such 
rifle  and  musket  practice  as  is  deemed  essential  to  secure  the  highest 
efficiency  in  the  use  of  these  weapons.  The  selection  of  the  proper 
location  for  a  purpose  so  necessary  to  the  thorough  education  of  our 
National  Guard  involves  in  a  special  degree  considerations  of  conven- 
ience and  rapidity  of  access  to  and  from  the  various  armories,  ample 
room  for  parade  and  manoeuvres,  and  a  lengthened  range  for  target 
practice. 

Knowing  how  mucli  more  i)ractical  the  views  and  judgment  of  mili- 
tary men  must  be  than  those  of  a  mere  civil  commission  on  such  matters, 
and  aware  that  you  liave  already  devoted  much  time  and  tliought,  as  well 
as  personal  examination,  to  the  selection  of  a  suitable  locality  for  the  ob- 
jects specified,  we  would  be  greatly  aided  and  benefited  by  learning  the 
result  of  your  investigation  on  this  important  subject. 

We  would  be  much  assisted  by  being  placed  in  possession  of  your 
opinions  as  to  the  extent  of  the  space  required  for  the  uses  mentioned.  The 
Commissioners  would  likewise  be  pleased  to  receive  such  suggestions  as 
may  seem  to  you  pertinent  to  the  inquiry  which  it  has  in  hand. 

With  much  respect, 

LUTHER  R.  MARSH,  President. 

John  Mullaly,  Secretary. 


101 


Headquarters,  First  Division,  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.,  ^ 
New  York,  July  31,  1883.  f 

Mon.  Luther  R.  Marsh, 

President  of  Commission  to  Select  and  Locate  Sites  for  Paries  : 
Dear  Sir — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter 
of  the  25th  ult.,  relative  to  the  enlargement  of  the  park  area  of  the  city, 
combined  with  the  provision  of  a  parade  and  drill  ground  and  rifle  range, 
and  requesting  my  opinion  on  the  suitability  of  a  site,  the  extent  or  area 
required  for  the  purpose,  and  "  suggestions  pertinent  to  the  matter." 

In  reply  thereto  I  desire  to  say,  that  as  to  a  site  for  the  purpose,  the 
best  one  suggested,  of  which  I  have  any  knowledge,  is  that  at  Van  Cort- 
landt's,  on  the  New  York  City  and  Northern  Railroad,  which  location  as 
to  the  space  required  for  the  purpose,  while  not  giving  ample  room,  could 
nevertheless  be  made  very  desirable.  The  actual  present  requirements  are 
for  the  drilling  of  a  body  of  5,000  men,  the  present  strength  of  the  First 
Division,  but,  as  in  the  laying  out  of  additional  park  area  the  future 
growth  of  the  city  should  be  considered,  so  also  should  an  increase  of  the 
Division  to  twice  its  present  strength  be  provided  for,  say  10,000  of  all 
arms.  For  the  review  of  such  a  body  in  one  line,  a  distance  of  10,000 
feet  is  required  in  the  length  of  the  ground,  and  about  1,000  in  width  ; 
the  same  body  in  two  lines  could  be  formed  in  one-half  the  space  as  to 
length,  say  5,000  feet,  but  would  require,  at  least,  300  feet  more  in  width  ; 
in  three  lines,  length  say  3,300  feet,  and  width  1,600  feet;  the  latter  form 
of  ground,  3,300  x  1,600  feet,  would  be  the  best  and  most  practicable  for 
reviews,  and  would  also  be  ample  for  drills  and  for  manoeuvres  in  mass. 
It  is  not  probable  that  a  clear  open  space  of  this  size  can  be  obtained 
within  the  city  limits.  The  level  ground,  including  the  orchard  lying 
west  of  the  creek,  at  the  south  end  of  the  Van  Cortlandt  property,  before 
referred  to,  will  only  approximate  that  size. 

The  establishment  of  a  rifle  range  1,100  yards  long  on  the  east  side 
of  the  park,  and  the  connecting  of  the  two  sides  by  bridges,  will  make  the 
south  ends  of  that  ground  also  available  when  required  for  manoeuvring, 
and  the  two  plots  taken  together,  with  a  small  outlay,  can  be  made  to  answer 
the  requirements  of  the  National  Guard  of  the  city  for  many  years  to 
come.  This  ground  has  four  important  advantages  over  any  other  which 
I  have  visited  :  1st.  It  has  a  large  area  of  flat  land  requiring  but  little 
grading  ;  2d.  A  rifle  range  of  suflficicnt  size  can  be  established,  having 
two  of  its  sides  and  one  end  practically  walled  in  by  water  ;  3d.  It  fur- 
nishes an  admirable  position  for  spectators  on  the  tongue  of  high  grounds 
which  extends  southward  into  the  flat  land  west  of  the  park  ;     4th.  It  is 


102 


made  accessible  by  a  railroad  running  through  it,  which  connects  with 
the  elevated  system.  This  area  will  not  necessarily  be  devoted  exclusively 
to  National  Guard  purposes,  and  if  a  public  park  is  located  upon  these 
grounds,  I  would  advise  that  all  the  laud  lying  south  of  the  point  where 
the  butts  of  the  rifle  range  would  be  estaljlished,  between  the  avenue  on 
the  west  and  the  east  boundary  of  the  rifle  range,  which  will  include  the 
high  ground  alluded  to,  be  set  apart  for  the  use  of  the  National  Guard, 
and  of  clubs  and  associations  formed  for  athletic  games  and  physical 
culture,  for  pic-nic  and  pleasure-parties,  and  for  such  out-door  amuse- 
ments generally  as  are  now  prohibited  in  Central  Park,  to  be  used  by  the 
latter  when  not  required  by  the  National  Guard.  Contrary  to  a  general 
impression  which  has  prevailed,  the  occasional  use  of  a  grass  field  by  the 
military  and  moderate  use  of  it  by  pleasure-parties  will  have  no  appre- 
riable  injurious  effect  upon  it. 

It  will  give  me  pleasure  to  confer  with  your  Commission  or  represen- 
tatives of  it  anytime  upon  this  sul)ject,  it  being  one  of  great  importance 
to  the  National  Guard,  and  no  less  to  the  well-being  of  the  whole  com- 
munity. 

Very  respectfully  your.^, 

ALEXANDER  SHALER, 

Major-Oeneral. 

The  area  which  your  Commission  have  indicated  on  the 
accompanying  map  for  a  park  contains  1,070  acres,  and  is 
substantially  the  same  as  that  marked  out  in  the  petition 
upon  which  your  Honorable  Bodies  were  pleased  to  enact 
the  statute  under  which  your  Commission  have  been  con- 
stituted, it  being  stated  therein  "  that  within  the  limits  of 
New  York  there  is  no  large  tract  of  land  suitable  for  a  park 
which  can  be  bought  at  low  rates  except  the  one  desig- 
nated (Van  Cortlandt's),  and  that  it  is  a  tract  of  land  of 
about  one  thousand  two  liundred  acres." 

The  Bronx  Park. 

Among  the  various  tracts  to  which  the  attention  of  youi 
Commission  was  invited,  and  which  they  personally  ex- 
amined, was  the  land  extending  to  a  distance  of  from  half 
to  three-quarters  of  a  mile  on  each  side  of  the  Bronx,  and 


loa 


from  West  Farms  to  Williamsbridge.  This  section  com- 
prises portions  of  the  Lydig,  Lorillard  and  Neale  estates, 
and  lesser  portions  of  other  property.  Of  this  land  your 
Commission  has  selected  and  surveyed  for  a  park  site  six 
hundred  and  fifty-three  acres.  It  would  be  difficult  and 
probably  impossible  in  the  State  of  New  York  to  find  within 
an  equal  space  a  tract  of  such  rare  beauty,  rivaling,  if  not  in 
broad  expanded  views,  certainly  in  picturesque  loveliness, 
some  of  the  most  romantic  scenes  in  the  Adirondack  region. 
Though  less  than  a  half  hour's  drive  from  the  Harlem  river, 
there  are  few  in  the  City  of  New  York  who  are  aware  of  its 
peculiar  fitness  for  a  public  park  and  its  rare  charms  of 
scenery.  That  such  a  spot  should  exist  in  its  original  state, 
in  its  native  wildness,  so  near  the  settled  portion  of  the  city, 
and  yet  almost  so  wholly  unknown  and  unsuspected,  may 
well  awaken  surprise. 

The  Bronx,  which  now  forms  the  eastern  boundary  line  of 
New  York,  runs  through  this  territory  from  north  to  south, 
varying  in  width  from  fifty  to  four  and  five  hundred  feet, 
forming  at  intervals  wide  lake-like  reaches,  from  which  the 
banks  rise  to  the  height  of  fifty,  eighty,  and  in  some  places 
ninety  feet.  Where  its  waters  are  interrupted  by  the  Lydig 
Dam,  over  which  they  are  precipitated  in  one  broad,  foam- 
ing cascade,  that  adds  a  new  charm  to  the  landscape,  it 
reaches  its  greatest  width  and  preserves  the  appearance  of 
a  broad  lake  for  at  least  a  mile.  The  banks  on  either  side 
of  the  wider  part  of  the  river  rise  somewhat  abruptly,  in 
some  places  easily  surmounted  and  at  others  of  a  precip- 
itous character.  Gigantic  trees,  centuries  old,  crown  these 
summits,  "a  shrubbery  that  Shenstone  might  have  envied" 
spreads  around,  while  great  moss  and  ivy-covered  rocks 
project  here  and  there  at  different  heights  above  the  surface 
of  the  river,  increasing  the  wildness  of  the  scene.  Among 
these  is  a  grand  old  tree  that  towers  to  the  height  of  over 
one  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  a  veritable  monarch  of  the  forest, 


104 


standing  apart  in  solitary  magnificence,  and  known  to  the 
present  and  several  past  generations  as  De  Lancey's  Pine. 
It  obtained  its  name  from  the  De  Lancey  family,  who  owned 
the  land  which  is  now  known  as  the  Lydig  estate,  and  on 
which  was  the  house  that,  as  stated  in  Bolton's  "History 
of  Westchester,"  once  served  as  the  headquarters  of  Wash- 
ington. This  building  was  subsequently  destroyed  by  fire. 
De  Lancey's  Pine,  however,  remains,  and  would  form  not 
only  a  consj^icuous  and  beautiful  object  in  the  Bronx  Park, 
but  an  interesting  historical  relic,  having  as  such  a  value 
above  its  mere  pecuniary  worth. 

"  Where  gentle  Bronx  clear  winding  flows, 
The  shadowy  banks  between, 
Where  blossomed  bell  or  wilding  rose 
Adorns  the  brightest  green. 

*  vr  *  *  *  ♦ 

Stands  high  in  solitary  state 
De  Lancey's  ancient  pine.  " 

But  Delancey's  Ancient  Pine,  is  not  the  only  feature  of 
special  interest  in  the  Bronx  Park,  for  it  possesses  in  a 
huge  boulder  (evidently  deposited  on  its  present  resting 
place  during  the  world's  glacial  period),  an  object  of  peculiar 
value  and  attraction.  This  great  stone,  weighing  probably 
a  hundred  tons,  is  so  balanced  upon  the  rock  on  which  it 
was  originally  deposited  by  the  melting  of  some  huge 
iceberg,  from  whose  embrace  it  was,  countless  ages  ago, 
released,  that  by  an  ordinary  effort  of  human  strength,  it 
can  be  set  rocking  to  and  fro  on  its  immovable  base.  Such 
an  attraction  could  not  probably  be  duplicated  by  the  most 
skillful  appliance  of  man's  ingenuity.     It  is,  as  Moore  says, 

"  Like  that  stone  of  the  Druid  race, 
Which  the  <jjentlest  touch  at  once  sets  moving." 

Within  the  Lorillard  estate  the  Bronx  courses  through 
a  narrow  rock-bound  gorge,  the  walls  of  which  tower  to  an 
altitude  of  nearly  a  hundred  feet,  the  great  trees  on  either 


105 


side  throwing  weird  and  fantastic  shadows  on  the  glancing 
waters  below.  Rocky  knolls,  green  patches  of  meadow, 
thickly  shaded  sylvan  retreats  and  wide  stretches  of  lawn 
give  a  varied  character  vo  the  land,  rendering  any  effort  of 
art  wholly  superfluous.  On  the  Lorillard  estate  there  are 
tracts  in  which  the  natural  beauties  of  the  locality  have 
been  aided  by  the  skill  of  the  landscape  gardener,  and  here 
in  the  character  of  the  soil  and  the  work  already  done,  an 
excellent  opportunity  is  presented  for  the  establishment  of 
8  botanical  garden,  without  which  the  park  system  of  our 
metropolis  must  be  considered  incomplete. 

The  walks  and  drives  on  either  margin  of  the  river,' 
which  here  and  there  through  the  vista  has  the  appearance 
of  a  lake,  winding  among  the  native  growth  of  oak,  chestnut, 
hickory,  pine,  beach  and  other  indigenous  trees,  could  not 
fail  to  render  the  Bronx  Park  one  of  the  most  frequented 
and  popular  resorts  in  the  city.  We  feel  convinced  that  if 
your  Honorable  Bodies  could  visit  this  beautiful  tract  of 
country,  which  nature  has  designed  for  a  park,  and  which  far 
surpasses  in  its  natural  wildness  the  artificial  formations  of 
the  Central,  there  would  not  be  a  dissenting  opinion  as  to  its 
reservation  for  public  use  forever.  The  Department  of  Pub- 
lic Parks  has  done  its  part  in  the  matter  by  locating  a  tract 
of  about  one  hundred  acres  on  one  side  of  the  Bronx,  to 
which  it  is  confined  by  the  fact  that  the  other  bank  of  the 
river  is  in  Westchester,  and  beyond  the  prescribed  limits  of 
the  city,  and,  consequently,  beyond  present  municipal  juris- 
diction. This  nucleus  of  a  larger  park  is  in  the  same  condi- 
tion as  the  Van  Cortlandt  estate,  so  far  as  possession  is 
regarded,  having  been  withheld  from  improvement  and 
cultivation,  and  may  remain  so  for  years  to  come,  the  land 
in  the  meantime  augmenting  in  value  with  the  approach  of 
population.  It  is  needless  to  emphasize  the  danger,  the 
impolicy,  the  extravagance  of  delay,  or  to  urge  in  the  very 
teeth  of  past  experience  the  unwisdom  of  further  postpone- 


106 

ment  on  the  ground  that  other  needs  are  pressing — a  work 
which  in  time  pays  ten  hundred  per  cent,  profit  on  the 
outlay.  It  is  essential  to  secure  a  certain  space  on  both 
sides  of  the  Bronx,  in  order,  as  has  been  well  said,  "  to  put 
the  possibilities  of  disagreeable  neighborhood  at  a 
distance." 

Sanitary  Reasons  Demand  the  Preservation  of  the 

Bronx. 

Convincing  as  are  the  arguments  in  favor  of  the  dedica- 
tion of  this  land  for  a  public  park,  and  which  are  based 
upon  its  singular  adaptability,  requiring  comparatively 
slight  expenditure  to  fit  it  for  public  use,  there  is  another 
and  possibly  a  more  powerful  reason,  why  it  should  be  pre- 
served as  a  people's  pleasure  groui^d.  It  is  very  evident 
that  this  section  of  the  city  is  destined,  ere  many  years,  to 
be  occupied  by  a  large  and  rapidly  increasing  population. 
Present  indications  all  point  to  this  inevitable  result.  The 
Suburban  Eapid  Transit  has  at  last,  after  patient  waiting, 
and  the  removal  of  the  many  obstacles  thrown  in  its  path, 
by  legal  and  other  difficulties,  succeeded  in  securing  the 
right  of  way  across  the  Harlem  i»iver  at  Second  avenue,  and 
has -commenced  the  construction  of  the  bridge,  which  is  to 
unite  at  that  point  the  two  systems,  making  a  continuous 
line  from  the  Bronx  to  the  Battery.  Thus  the  completion 
of  the  long  contemplated  project  of  rapid  transit  between 
the  city's  northern  and  southern  limits,  on  the  east  side,  is 
destined  to  open  up  this  heretofore  neglected  territory 
to  the  inflowing  tide  of  population. 

The  land  in  this  section,  with  the  exception  of  a  part 
already  described,  is  admirably  adapted  for  building  pur- 
poses, and  is  certain  to  attract  a  very  large  proportion  of 
the  prospective  settlers.  It  is  not  difficult  to  predict  the 
consequences.  Unless  secured  in  time,  the  Bronx  will  be 
transformed  from  one  of  the  most  exquisite  spots  to  a  com- 


109 


mon  receptable  for  the  drainage  of  tliat  section,  and  event- 
ually, becoming  a  public  nuisance,  be  condemned  to  the 
uses  of  a  common  sewer,  which,  as  a  safeguard  to  the  public 
health,  will  have  to  be  constructed  along  the  bed  of  the 
once  picturesque  stream,  which  will  have  thus  disappeared 
forever. 

In  the  discussion  of  the  subject  of  annexation  a  few 
years  ago,  it  Avas  proposed  to  draw  a  line  from  the  Hudson 
river  to  the  Sound,  which  would  include  Yonkers,  Mount 
Vernon  and  New  Bochelle.  That  such  an  extension  of  our 
city  limits  will  eventually  take  place,  there  can  be  no 
doubt.  It  is  only  a  question  of  time ;  and  when  accom- 
plished, our  enlarged  park  system  can  be  extended  into  the 
new  territory,  and  another  addition  made,  which  should 
include  the  upper  waters  of  the  Bronx,  preserving  it  from 
contamination  along  that  portion  of  its  course  also.  The 
river  might  thus  become  the  line  of  a  magnificent  parkway 
which,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Wissahickon  in  Fairmount 
Park,  could  be  made  a  valuable  and  beautiful  addition  to 
the  general  plan,  forming  a  connecting  link  with  another 
park,  which  should,  and  we  have  no  doubt  will  be  laid  out 
north  of  the  present  boundary,  completing  and  crowning 
the  whole  park  system  north  of  the  Harlem  river. 

Crotona  Park. 

This  tract  of  land  lying  between  North  Third  avenue 
and  Boston  avenue,  and  East  One  Hundred  and  Seventieth 
and  East  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-fifth  streets,  and  here- 
tofore known  as  Bathgate  Woods,  has  been  selected  by  your 
Commission  and  denominated  Crotona  Park.  Situate  on  a 
ridge  of  land  which  forms  the  eastern  crown  of  the  water- 
shed of  Mill  Brook  Yalley,  it  commands  an  extensive  view 
of  the  surrounding  country,  and  overlooks  the  valley  below. 
It  is  admirably  adapted  for  park  purposes ;  its   luxuriant 


110 


growth  of  forest  trees  affording  ample  shade  even  in  a  mid- 
summer noon.  Oak,  elm,  and  magnolia,  lofty  and  wide 
spreading,  their  roots  covered  with  carpeting  moss  and 
lichens,  their  inteiiacing  branches  looking  like  the  growth 
of  centuries,  give  an  impression  of  solitude  and  isolation, 
totally  at  variance  with  the  idea  of  proximity  to  a  great 
commercial  centre. 

The  ground  is  beautifully  diversified  with  hill  and  dale, 
glade  and  glen.  Beneath  the  trees,  pic-nic  parties  enjoy 
themselves  during  the  summer  and  autumn,  the  cooling 
breezes  that  are  to  be  found  there  in  the  sultriest  weather 
making  the  place  especially  suitable  for  social  parties, 
while  those  who  take  enjoyment  in  a  magnificent  prospect, 
can,  from  some  open  height,  in  clear  weather,  sweep  the 
horizon  round  from  the  Palisades  to  the  piers  of  Brooklyn 
Bridge. 

The  location,  geographically  considered,  is  the  centre 
of  the  upper  half  of  IS  ew  York  City,  more  so,  even,  than 
Central  Park,  is  of  the  island  portion  of  the  Metropolis. 
Means  of  access  for  the  entire  population  of  the  city  are 
already  furnished  by  the  Harlem  Eailroad,  the  Elevated 
Railroads,  the  horse  cars  and  the  Suburban  Rapid  Transit 
Company,  which  has  projected  routes  along  the  eastern  and 
western  boundaries  of  the  proposed  Crotona  Park.  On  a 
portion  of  this  property  the  Board  of  Education  has  erected 
a  grammar  school,  one  of  the  finest  sites  for  an  educational 
institut^ion  within  the  city  limits.  As  the  lines  of  travel  are 
already  established  on  both  sides  of  this  proj)erty  its  dedi- 
cation to  purposes  of  public  recreation  would  not  offer  any 
impediment  to  the  growth  of  the  city. 

Thus  it  is  apparent  that  this  tract  possesses  the  first 
indispensable  requisites  for  a  park — beauty  and  variety  of 
surface  coupled  with  luxuriance  and  variety  of  vegetation. 
In  point  of  position  it  has  the  advantages  of  being  near  the 
city  and  easily  accessible  while  retaining  its  rural  character. 


Ill 


The  extent  of  Crotona  Park  is  135  ^\/v  acres.  Of  this  area 
a  space  sufficient  for  a  zoological  graden,  and  well  adapted 
to  the  purpose,  with  an  abundant  supply  of  water,  can  be  set 
apart  when  the  land  shall  have  been  acquired  by  the  city. 

St.  Mary's  Park. 

The  attention  of  your  Commission  has  been  specially 
directed  to  the  subject  of  local  parks  of  smaller  area  than 
those  already  described,  and  Y\-hich,  from  their  dimensions, 
they  regard  as  not  only  suburban,  but,  like  the  Central, 
metropolitan  in  their  character.  After  due  consideration 
of  the  needs  of  localities  within  the  Twenty-third  and 
Twenty-fourth  Wards,  they  have  selected  three  sites,  of 
different  areas,  which  they  deem  particularly  adapted  for 
local  parks.  The  popular  judgment  has,  we  may  say,  already 
marked  out  one  of  these  as  a  public  pleasure  ground, 
and  given  it  the  name  of  St.  Mary's  Park.  In  fact,  the 
people  of  this  part  of  the  city  have  used  it  as  a  place 
of  recreation  for  many  years,  and  its  green  fields  and 
shady  nooks  are  the  almost  constant  resort  of  picnic,  ex- 
cursion, and  other  pleasure  parties.  Its  suitability  for 
park  purposes  was  recognized  and  fully  appreciated  by  the 
old  town  of  Morrisania,  and  long  prior  to  the  act  of  annex- 
ation, they  had  proposed  to  set  it  apart  for  the  recreation 
of  the  people.  St.  Mary's  Park  was  formerly  a  portion  of 
the  estate  of  Gouverneur  Morris,  who  played  a  prominent 
part  in  the  Convention  which  framed  the  Constitution  of 
the  United  States,  and  who  was  also  a  delegate  to  the  Con- 
vention which  gave  its  present  Constitution  to  our  own 
Empire  State,  and  subsequently  occupied  the  positions  of 
United  States  Senator  and  Minister  to  France.  Within  a 
few  hundred  feet  of  the  park  stands  the  picturesque  edifice 
known  as  St.  Anne's  Church,  in  the  cemetery  of  which  rest 
the  remains  of  this  true  patriot  and  eminent  statesman. 


112 


Constituting  a  marked  feature  in  the  surroundiniGj  terri- 
tory, above  which  it  rises  in  places  to  an  elevation  of 
over  one  hundred  feet,  this  natural  park  requires  but 
little  change  to  adapt  it  for  public  occupation.  From 
its  highest  points  extended  views  of  the  East  river  and 
Sound,  the  Harlem  and  Hudson  rivers,  are  presented, 
while  the  park  itself  possesses  a  variety  of  scenery  which 
is  only  to  be  found  in  larger  areas  elsewhere.  It  is  in  fact 
a  park  in  miniature,  covering  an  area  of  about  twenty  acres, 
with  woods,  hills,  valleys,  rocks,  beautiful  stretches  of 
meadow  land,  and  a  small  lake  fed  by  natural  springs. 
While  its  topographical  advantages  are  such  that  it  requires 
little  expense  for  improvement,  its  irregular  surface,  form- 
ing its  greatest  recommendation  for  the  use  stated,  renders 
it  unsuitable  for  building  purposes  and  the  construction  of 
thoroughfares.  To  grade  this  beautiful  upland  to  a  level 
Avith  the  city  streets,  and  destroy  its  commanding  view, 
would  be  a  heartless  desecration  !  In  a  word,  nature  seems 
to  have  specially  designed  it  for  a  park,  and,  in  the  opinion 
of  your  Commission,its  appropriation  for  any  other  purpose 
would  be  a  serious  mistake,  costing  more  in  the  end  than 
the  amount  expended  in  securing  possession.  The  area  of 
St.  Mary's  Park  in  twenty-five  and  one-third  acres. 

Claremont  Park. 

This  tract  of  land  contains  thirty-eiglit  acres,  or  about 
thirteen  acres  more  than  St.  Mary's.  Like  that  natural 
park  it  presents  from  its  elevated  grounds,  which  in 
some  places  rise  to  a  height  of  qne  hundred  feet,  extended 
views  of  the  surrounding  territory ;  while  its  well-wooded 
tracts  and  level  spaces, varied  with  many  quiet  little  dells  and 
shady  nooks,  commend  it  especially  for  the  purposes  de- 
signed by  your  Commission.  It  has  one  advantage  which 
distinguishes  all  the   sites  selected   and  recommended  in 


113 


this  report — it  is  a  park  already  and  would  require  com- 
paratively trifling  outlay  to  put  it  in  a  better  condition 
for  public  use.  It  is  even  now,  however,  ready  for  occupa- 
tion and  might  be  thrown  open  to  visitors  the  moment  the 
land  is  purchased.  Made  up  of  two  ridges  and  an  inter- 
Ijing  valley  it  possesses  a  desirable  variety  of  surface  un- 
dulations, eminences,  depressions,  and  stretches  of  level 
land.  Part  of  it  is  at  present  used  for  farm  purposes  and 
grass  is  cut  and  crops  raised  on  it.  A  regular  country  road 
runs  through  it,  as  unlike  a  thoroughfare  in  proximity  to 
New  York  as  could  be  imagined.  In  fact  the  idea  of  re- 
moteness is  suggested  at  every  turn,  resembling  in  this 
particular  other  localities  described  and  recommended  in 
this  report.  The  vegetation  is  luxuriant,  vines  and 
mosses  beautify  and  half  conceal  the  rocks  and  stones  that 
crop  out  on  the  hillside,  or  huddle  together  here  and  there 
in  picturesque  confusion  by  the  unfashioned  roadway. 
Claremont  Park  is  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from 
Highbridge  and  is  reached  by  the  Harlem  and  New  Haven 
Railroad. 

Pelham  Bay  Park. 

The  petition  upon  whicli  the  act,  chapter  253  of  1883, 
under  which  your  Commission  were  appointed  was  passed, 
stated  "that  in  addition  to  such  breathing  spaces  as  Cen- 
tral Park  and  the  park  mapped  out  in  the  bill  referred  to 
•^Van  Cortlandt  Park],  New  York  icants  and  should  have 
immediately,  a  grand  park  with  a  loater  front  on  Long 
Inland  Sound ;  one  which  should  be  the  people's  own,  a 
resort  for  picnics  and  excursions,  a  place  where  they  could 
enjoy  the  pleasures  of  boating,  bathing,  fishing,  riding,  etc.'* 
It  was  furthermore  urged  "  that  as  no  such  territory  is  now 
included  within  the  boundaries  of  the  city,  the  question  of 
securing  a  suitable  site  for  such  a  park  is  not  so  simple  and 
easily  resolvable  as   that  already  considered  ;"  and  prayed 


114 


that  a  Commission  might  be  created  "  to  more  fully  and 
authoritatively  inquire  into  the  matter,''  and  report  to  the 
Legislature  "  what  steps  should  be  taken  to  secure  this 
desideratum."  Your  Commission,  therefore,  felt  that  such 
inquiry  was  a  portion  of  the  duty  imposed  upon  them  by 
your  Honorable  Bodies,  and  have  had  great  reason  to  be 
gratified  by  the  favorable  results  of  their  investigation. 

A  large  park  on  Long  Island  Sound,  well  situated  and 
picturesque,  accessible  both  by  land  and  Avater,  swept  by  the 
healthful  breezes  of  each,  a  park  which  may  be  approached 
by  steamboats  and  all  manner  of*  vessels,  as  well  as  by  land 
carriage  ;  where  the  people  can  roam  in  freedom ;  well 
shaded  by  native  trees,  seems  so  necessary  to  our  city  as  it 
is  to  be,  and  at  the  same  time  so  beautiful,  original  and 
healthful,  and,  as  we  judge,  not  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
authority  you  have  conferred  upon  us,  that  the  members  of 
your  Commission  were  impelled  to  examine  the  coast-line 
for  an  appropriate  location.  They  have,  therefore,  person- 
ally inspected  that  line  and  its  ind-entations  for  the  most 
suitable  ground  for  such  a  park,  believing  that  this  growing 
metropolis  ere  very  many  years,  will  embrace  four  and  even 
five  millions  of  inhabitants,  and  the  citizens  of  the  State  who 
take  a  pride  and  an  interest  in  the  city's  prosperity  will  not 
much  longer  be  content  that  its  eastern  boundary  shall  be 
defined  by  the  slender  rivulet  of  the  Bronx  ;  but  will  insist 
rather  that  her  territory  shall  embrace  all  the  land  below 
her  northern  line,  lying  between  the  Hudson  and  Long 
Island  Sound — a  domain  that  seems  marked  by  nature  for 
the  site  of  a  city,  which  we  hope,  and  firmly  believe,  is  to 
be  one  of  the  grandest  cities  of  the  world. 

The  improvements  now  in  progress,  the  opening  through 
the  Harlem  river,  by  the  Federal  Government,  of  a  great 
commercial  channel  between  the  East  and  the  North  rivers, 
which  will  s(^nd  thither  the  centre  of  our  business  city, 
the  stupendous  works  of  the  National  Government  for  the 


117 


removal  of  obstructions  in  the  great  channel  connecting 
the  sound  with  the  ocean  ;  the  railroad  facilities  which  the 
last  few  years  have  developed  and  those  contemplated  in 
the  immediate  future  ;  the  improvement  of  the  streams 
which  lead  into  the  Sound  ;  and  the  push  of  population 
and  business  in  that  direction,  cannot  but  have  the  effect  of 
making  the  land  bordering  on  the  East  river  too  indispen- 
sable for  domestic,  commercial  and  manufacturing  pur- 
poses to  permit  the  abstraction  of  the  requisite  number  of 
acres  required  for  the  park,  and  to  interdict  the  location 
of  such  pleasure  grounds  along  the  shore  below  Throgg's 
Neck. 

Around  Port  Morris,  and  below,  and  above  that  point 
up  to  Throgg's  Neck,  it  is  evident  that  the  shore  is  fore- 
doomed to  material  and  practical  business  uses,  and  that 
any  park  situated  there  would  soon  be  environed  with  the 
smoke  of  furnaces  and  forges,  and  the  noise  of  the  trip- 
hammer. Above  Throgg's  Neck  the  shore  is  so  highly 
cultivated,  and  studded  with  country  seats,  as  to  be  too 
costly  to  be  taken  with  advantage  for  recreation  ground. 
Following  the  shore  line  still  further  we  failed  to  discover 
any  land  specially  appropriate  (except  such  as  Avould,  from 
its  high  state  of  cultivation  and  improvement,  be  too  expen- 
sive), until  we  reach  the  peninsula  of  Pelham  Neck  and 
its  vicinity,  where  a  natural  park  is  spread  out,  of  diversi- 
fied grounds,  rolling,  healthful,  well-wooded,  almost  sea- 
surrounded  and  of  generous  amplitude. 

This  great  park  of  seventeen  hundred  acres,  with  its 
coastal  indentations,  including  its  picturesque  .bays  and 
inlets,  its  open  water  front  on  the  Sound  and  the  wooded 
margin  of  Hunter's  Island,  has  an  aggregate  shore  line  of 
nine  miles  and  embraces  a  territory  which  your  Commis- 
sion can  truly  say  is  unsurpassed  for  purposes  of  public 
recreation  by  any  park  in  the  world.  A  section  of  the  land 
having  an  extent  of  over  four  hundred  acres  stretches  out 


lib 


in  the  form  of  a  peninsula  into  the  Sound,  presenting  num- 
berless pictures  of  great  diversity  and  beauty.  This  noble 
expanse  of  water,  which  constitutes  the  highway  for  a  large 
portion  of  the  coast  commerce  between  New  York  and  the 
Eastern  States,  forms  a  splendid  moving  panorama,  while 
along  the  shore  line  of  the  park  are  large  tracts  of  wood- 
land, abounding  in  stately  trees,  wide-spreading  oaks  and 
graceful  elms,  centuries  old  and  forming  natural  groves. 

Surrounding  this  peninsula,  and  of  easy  access,  are 
several  islands,  some  of  which  are  connected  by  bridges 
and  causeways  with  the  mainland,  and  all  of  which  can 
be  readily  approached  by  steamboats  and  sailing  craft. 

The  ocean  tides  which  make  their  way  through  the  East 
river  in  one  direction,  and  in  an  opposite  course  through 
the  Sound,  meet  a  little  below  Throgg's  Neck,  nearly  oppo- 
site Whitestone — and  result  in  a  collision  of  waters  forming 
a  tide-rip  there.  The  upgoing  tide  carries  with  it  the 
odious  bilge  water  and  much  contamination,  as  it  passes  the 
wharves  and  sewers  of  New  York  and  Brooklyn,  until  it  is 
arrested  by  the  descending  tide  from  the  Sound ;  at  which 
place  of  conjunction  the  tide-rip  prevents  the  flow  of  any 
impurities  eastward,  and  protects  the  nari-ow  channel  at 
Throgg's  Neck,  so  that  the  waters  above  that  part  and  those 
which  bathe  the  shores  of  Pelham  Neck  are  sparkling  and 
pure.  This  consideration  is  certainly  of  great  importance 
in  selecting  a  site  for  a  park  where  the  waters  bordering  it, 
and  forming,  so  to  speak,  a  marine  extension  of  it,  and  over 
which  much  of  the  approach  is  to  be  made  in  all  kinds  of 
crafts,  are  to  constitute  so  prominent  a  feature,  and  one  of 
its  greatest  charms.  The  bathing  and  fishing  facilities 
attached  to  this  park  would  form  one  of  its  chief  attrac- 
tions, but  the  healthful  enjoyment  derived  therefrom  would 
of  course  depend  mainly  upon  tlie  purity  of  the  water. 

Fortunately  this  extended  water-front  has  hitherto 
escaped    s(^-called    improvements,  as   if   reserved  by  some 


119 


good  providence  for  the  benign  purpose  to  which  we  trust 
it  will  be  devoted.  The  land  at  Pelham  Neck  can,  we  are 
informed,  be  obtained  at  a  moderate  price  and  it  will  require 
but  little  expense  in  preparing  it  for  visitors.  It  would, 
with    the    exception   of  some  necessary  roads  and  walks, 

—  for  it  has  already  been  fenced  to  our  hand  by  water — 
be  better  let  alone.  Nature  has  already  done  all  that  is 
required,  and  the  people  will  enjoy  themselves  with  greater 
zest  if  permitted  to  stroll  unrestrained  over  its  greensward 
and  through  its  woods,  instead  of  being  confined  to  prim 
and  narrow  paths,  and  confronted  on  every  side  by  prohibi- 
tory notices  and  threatened  witli  the  infliction  of  pains  and 
penalties.  We  would  report  in  favor  of  parks  where  the 
people  can  be  free  in  all  reasonable  occupation  and  enjoy- 
ment. 

If  it  should  appear  at  first  sight  too  far  away  from  the 
present  densely-populated  portion  of  the  city,  the  answer 
to  the  objection  is  conclusive.  It  is  certainly,  with  the 
present  means  of  access,  not  more  remote  than  Central 
Park  wiien  it  was  laid  out  over  a  quarter  of  a  century 
ago,  and  it  is  several  miles  nearer  than  Starin's  Glen 
Island.  When  the  proprietor  of  that  popular  sum- 
mer resort,  who  had  a  fleet  of  steamers  constantly 
employed  in  conveying  visitors,  announced  the  termi- 
nation of  the  season, — new  as  the  enterprise  was — he 
stated  that  the  number  of  persons  conveyed  to  and  fro  ex- 
ceeded six  hundred  thousand,  and  that  the  enterprise  had 
proved  so  profitable  and  successful  he  intended,  among 
other  features  of  interest,  to  establish  a  zoological  garden 
for  the  ariiusemtiut  of  his  patrons.  The  inference  is  obvious 

—  if  Glen  Island,  which  is  some  miles  further  than  Pel- 
ham  Neck,  is  not  too  distant  for  the  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  health  and  pleasure-seekers,  the  objection  as  to  its  dis- 
tance is  not  worthy  of  a  moment's  consideration.  There  is  a 
necessity  upon  the  city  to  grow  in  that  direction  as  well  as 


120 


up  the  Hudson  and  in  the  central  position,  and  tlie  establish- 
ment of  a  park  in  the  location  described  Avill  draw  around 
it  the  homes  of  the  people.  The  facilities  of  access  by  land 
and  water  will  be  so  great,  and  the  place  so  easily  reached 
and  at  such  slight  expense,  that  it  will  be  a  boon  to  the 
workers  and  the  toilers  of  the  great  city  to  get  into  such 
an  atmosphere,  so  fresh  and  uncontaminated. 

This  park  will  be  a  benefaction  to  the  people,  greater 
each  year  as  the  necessity  for  it  becomes  more  and 
more  apparent,  and  judging  of  the  future  by  the  past,  and 
by  the  fast  coming  impulses  of  the  present,  it  is  fair  to  as- 
sume that  in  ten  or  fifteen  years  the  advancing  tide  of 
settlement  will  have  invaded  the  section  actually  bordering 
the  site  which  is  here  recommended. 

City  Island,  united  to  the  easterly  end  of  Pelham  Neck 
by  a  bridge,  is  cut  up  into  small  holdings,  and  is,  in  the 
village  part,  quite  thickly  populated,  having  over  1,200 
inhabitants,  some  200  voters,  and  perhaps  250  dwellings. 
These  citizens,  unless,  by  water,  must  necessarily  traverse 
the  length  of  Pelham  Neck  on  their  way  to  and  from  their 
island  home.  Before  the  Revolution  this  island  was  divided 
into  city  lots  of  25  by  100  feet,  and  some  of  the  lots  were 
sold  at  fifty  pounds  apiece. 

It  is  believed  that  this  proposed  park  on  the  coast 
would  be  cheaper  in  the  purchase,  and  require  less  expen- 
diture to  put  in  condition  and  maintain,  than  any  other 
tract  of  equal  size  within  our  range,  and  would  outrank 
any  park  of  any  city  in  the  ^vorld  in  the  beauty  of  its  posi- 
tion, in  usefulness,  in  the  variety  and  magnificence  of  its 
views,  and  the  originality  of  its  design. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  proposed  Pelham  Bay  and 
Bronx  parks  are  directly  connected  by  the  Eastern  Boule- 
vard and  Pelham  and  Fordham  avenues,  wliich  latter  be- 
tween the  ])arks,  we  propose  to  widen  to  four  times  the 
present  width,  and  call  it  "The  l^ronx  and  Pelham  Park- 


121 


way."  As  tlie  boulevard  is  already  public  property,  the 
cost  of  the  additional  land  required  for  such  widening — 
about  ninety-one  acres— would  not  be  heavy.  Such  an 
union  of  the  entire  park  system  of  upper  New  York  would 
seem  to  be  most  desirable  ;  especially  as  it  may  be  accom- 
plished so  easily  and  cheaply  through  the  public  avenue 
already  established. 

The  Parkways. 

In  the  location  and  appropriation  of  certain  tracts  of 
land  for  j^arkways,  your  Commission  have  considered  these 
as  essential  parts  of  the  whole  system.  Referring  to  the 
suggestions  of  the  petition,  upon  which  chapter  253  of  the 
Laws  of  1883  was  passed,  they  find  that  they  are  authorized 
"to  take  into  consideration  the  advisability  of  constructing 
parkways  between  *the  proposed  parks,  and  of  utilizing 
some  of  the  avenues  and  boulevards  now  existing  for  such 
purpose."  In  the  performance  of  this  duty  they  recom- 
mend two  such  grand  avenues — one*  uniting  the  proposed 
Van  Cortlandt  and  Bronx  Parks,  and  entitled  the  Mosholu 
Parkway,  and  tlie  other  connecting  the  latter  with  Pelham 
Bay  Park — which  would  not  only  unite  these  magnificent 
recreation  grounds,  but  would  give  a  continuous  drive 
through  the  whole,  and  a  smaller  one  uniting  the  Bronx 
and  Crotona  parks. 

The  Mosholu  parkway,  which  contains  an  area  of 
eighty  acres,  exclusive  of  roads,  would  l)e  six  hundred 
feet  wdde  and  nearly  a  mile  long.  In  the  park  system 
of  Chicago,  the  Midway  Plaisance,  which  unites  the 
Jackson,  Washington  and  Gage  parks,  embraces  ninety 
acres,  is  about  the  same  length,  and  nearly  tAvo  hun- 
dred feet  wider,  forming  an  important  and  beautiful 
feature  of  the  whole  plan,  as  will  be  seen  by  reference  to 
the  description  in  this  report  of  the  public  pleasure- 
grounds  of  the  great  Lake  City.     The  "  Coney  Island  Con- 


122 


course,"  which  is  part  of  the  Brooklyn  park  system,  is  one 
thousand  feet  wide  and  over  half  a  mile  long.  It  is  almost 
needless  to  say  that  such  a  feature  would  not  only  greatly 
increase  the  beauty  of  the  general  design,  but  throughout 
its  whole  length  would  have  the  effect  of  largely  enhancing 
the  value  of  the  property  fronting  thereon  and  materially 
augmenting  the  tax  revenue  derivable  therefrom. 

The  Bronx  and  Pelham  parkway,  as  shown  on  the 
map,  has  an  area  of  ninety-one  acres,  exclusive  of  the 
present  boulevard,  which  is  taken  in.  Its  width  is  four 
hundred  feet,  its  length  about  two  and  a  half  miles,  and  it 
traverses  a  territory  which,  when  annexed,  as  it  eventually 
will  be.  will  form  a  most  valuable  and  attractive  section  of 
the  metropolis.  A  smaller  parkway  is  also  recommended 
to  unite  the  limited  Crotona  with  the  Bronx  Park,  which 
would  thus  give  a  continuity  to  the  whole  park  system 
contemplated  in  this  report,  with  the  single  exceptions  of 
the  small  area  of  St.  Mary's  and  the  Claremont. 

The  Map  and  Views  of  the  Proposed  Parks. 

In  order  to  present  to  the  eye,  at  a  glance,  the  location 
of  the  grounds  herein  recommended,  their  relative  position 
to  other  parks  and  the  populated  centres,  the  line  of 
advance  of  the  city's  population,  the  adaptability  of  the 
grounds  for  places  of  recreation  and  exercise,  their  shape 
and  relative  size,  and  the  modes  of  access  now  existing  and 
contemplated  by  land,  and  the  unlimited  approaches  to  Pel- 
ham  Bay  Park  by  water,  your  Commission  have  caused  a  map 
to  be  prepared  by  their  engineer,  General  James  C.  Lane, 
who  has  given  mucli  personal  inspection  and  study  to  the 
subject.  The  experience  of  General  Lane  as  a  civil  engi- 
neer and  landscape  architect,  and  his  artistic  taste  in  all 
matters  pertaining  to  landscape  gardening,  will  commend 
his  map  and  report,  we  doubt  not,  to  your  favorable  consid- 


125 


eration.  A  diminished  copy  of  the  map  is  prefixed  to  our 
report. 

As  your  Honorable  Bodies  cannot  visit  the  grounds  in 
person,  and  as,  in  winter,  a  committee  cannot  judge  of 
them  to  advantage,  we  have  had  a  variety  of  limited  views 
taken  from  the  different  parks  proposed,  and  copies  inter- 
spersed through  our  report,  which  will  show  how  nature 
has  already  taken  on  herself  the  business  of  creating  these 
parks,  and  saved  us  much  of  the  expense  and  labor ;  and 
will  give  intimation  of  the  picturesque  and  lovely  scenes 
which  would  be  opened  to  the  public  use  and  enjoyment, 
should  our  recommendation  be  adopted. 

The  sites  selected  are  so  dissimilar  in  character  that 
each  seems  to  have  a  distinct  individuality.  Each  has  nat- 
ural advantages  and  special  beauties  not  to  be  found  in  the 
others  ;  each  has  attractions  that  will  appeal  forcibly  to  dif- 
ferent tastes,  and  peculiarities  of  configuration  and  position 
that  will  render  it  suitable  for  different  purj:)oses.  This 
marked  diversity  we  consider  an  argument  in  favor  of 
each,  for  nothing  would  so  dwarf  the  public  taste  as  a  suc- 
cession of  parks  as  much  alike  as  a  row  of  brown-stone 
fronts. 

In  the  sites  selected  by  your  Commission  nature  has 
been  so  overmastering  in  her  action  that  no  amount  of 
intrusive  cultivation  can  efface  their  natural  traits,  and  no 
artificial  forcing  can  turn  them  into  duplicates.  Each 
stands  on  its  own  merits,  a  complement  of  all,  blending  in 
concordant  beauty,  but  standing  apart  in  harmonious 
contrast.     The  illustrations  prove  it. 

Van  Cortlandt  Park,  with  its  wide  stretches  of  undu- 
lating country,  its  circling  hills,  its  extensive  prospects,  its 
limpid  lake,  margined  by  grassy  slopes,  its  ever-flowing 
brook,  its  historic  sites,  its  patriotic  associations,  its  level 
tract,  whereon  our  citizen  soldiery  could  be  exercised  in  all 
the  manoeuvers   and   details    of    mimic  warfare — contrasts 


126 


strikingly  with  the  romantic  beauty  and  secluded  loveli- 
ness of  the  Bronx  Park,  where  the  picturesque  stream, 
which  gives  a  name  as  well  as  a  charm  to  the  region,  flows 
through  rocky  glens  darkened  with  the  green  gloom  of 
overhanging  trees,  or  Avidens  out  into  jdooIs  where  the 
disciples  of  Izaak  Walton  might  wile  hours  away  ;  or  winds 
its  way  through  sunny  meadows  and  scenes  of  unsurpassed 
sylvan  loveliness. 

Not  less  striking  is  the  contrast  between  both  these 
tracts  and  the  park  by  the  Sound.  Indeed,  Pelham  Bay 
,  Park  stands  altogether  alone,  being  necessarily  unlike  any 
of  its  inland  compeers.  Unique  in  its  position,  form, 
attractions  and  possibilities,  a  noble  expanse  of  water 
almost  encircling  it,  a  clear,  unobstructed  view  of  the 
heavens '  overhead,  the  glory  of  space  on  every  side, 
it  seizes  on  the  imagination  and  satisfies  the  poetic 
and  artistic  instinct.  In  addition,  it  has  the  mate- 
rial advantages  of  affording  opportunities  for  aquatic 
sports  and  natatorial  exercises,  for  fishing  and  boating,  for 
regattas  and  water  excursions. 

Altogether  different  is  Crotona  Park,  seated  on  the 
crest  of  a  hill  and  overlooking  the  busy,  thriving,  populous 
valley  below.  To  the  west,  it  commands  a  view  of  High 
Bridge  and  the  distant  Palisades  of  the  Hudson,  while 
southward,  on  a  clear  day,  the  massive  piers  of  the  Brook- 
lyn Bridge  can  be  seen  against  the  background  of  the  sky. 
Richly  wooded  and  beautifully  diversified,  musical  with 
running  brooks,  it  is  already  a  park  ripe  for  occupancy. 
Its  elevated  position,  -which  secures  for  it  refreshing 
breezes,  even  in  the  heart  of  summer,  adds  to  its  desira- 
bility for  park  purposes  ;  while  St.  Mary's  and  Claremont 
—fit  for  occupation  the  day  they  are  declared  and  without 
further  expense — lift  high  their  undulating  plateaus,  to 
survey  the  homes  and  industries  of  the  people. 


127 


American  Parks. 

Public  Pleasure  Grounds  oe  Chicago. 

Your  Commission,  in  directing  the  attention  of  yonr 
Honorable  Bodies  to  the  limited  park  area  of  New  York,  so 
wholly  inadequate  to  its  present  wants,  and  so  greatly  dis- 
proportioned  to  its  future  needs,  desire  to  invite  your 
special  consideration  in  this  connection  to  the  generous 
provision  that  has  been  made  by  many  of  the  principal 
cities  of  the  Union,  which,  though  inferior  in  population, 
are  greatly  in  advance  of  our  metropolis  in  this  respect. 
Taking  London  and  Paris  as  their  examples,  they  have 
exhibited  an  earnestness  and  energy  in  the  good  work 
that  has  already  placed  them  far  in  advance  of  New 
York,  although  it  is  less  than  ten  years  since  some  of  them 
entered  the  field  of  competition. 

This  is  particulai-ly  true  of  Chicago,  Boston,  St.  Louis, 
San  Francisco,  and  Buffalo.  While  Philadelphia  has  its 
Fairmount,  the  largest  park  in  the  United  States,  it  is  sur- 
passed in  the  aggregate  extent  of  its  public  grounds,  as 
compared  with  its  population,  by  several  other  cities.  And 
first  among  these  is  the  City  of  Chicago,  the  metropolis  of 
the  West,  the  Lake  City,  par  excellence,  with  its  wide  spread- 
ing parks,  looking  out  over  the  vast  inland  sea,  whose  inlets 
and  lagoons  are  skilfully  embraced  in  the  general  park 
plan,  and  made  to  contribute  largely  to  the  beauty  of  the 
whole  design. 

While  the  level  prairie  land  on  which  Chicago  has  been 
built  is  unfavorable  to  that  diversity  of  surface  which  gives 
picturesque  effect  to  the  view,  the  resources  of  art  have  been 
successfully  employed  in  the  work  of  construction  and  em- 


128 


bellishment.  The  improvements  have  been  made  on  the 
most  liberal  scale,  and  although,  according  to  the  last  re- 
port of  the  officials  in  charge  of  the  work,  soijie  years  must 
elapse  before  its  completion,  sufficient  has  been  done  to 
justify  the  belief  that  the  parks  will  when  finished  fully 
realize  the  highest  expectations  of  the  people. 

The  total  number  of  acres  embraced  in  the  park  sys- 
tem of  Chicago  is  3,000,  divided  as  follows  : 

Acres.  Acres. 

Jackson  Park 586     Humboldt   Park 200 

Washington  Park 371     Garfield  "     185 

Gage  Park 20     Douglass         "     180 

Midway  Plaisance 90     South  "     372 

Lincoln  Park 250    Lake  Shore     "     593 

Total 2,847 

Besides  these  there  are  eleven  smaller  parks,  which  in- 
crease the  area  to  at  least  three  thousand  acres,  and  these 
are  connected  by  a  system  of  boulevards  conceived  on  a 
grand  scale,  and  Avhich  are  now  being  rapidly  pushed  to 
completion.  These  splendid  avenues  have  a  width  varying 
from  one  hundred  to  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  orna- 
mented with  long  lines  of  stately  and  vigorous  shade  trees. 
The  length  of  these  magnificent  boulevards  will  be  over 
thirty  miles,  and  one-half  of  that  distance  is  ready  for 
use. 

The  South  Park,  which  consists  of  Jackson,  Washing- 
ington  and  Gage,  and  a  superb  parkway,  entitled  Midway 
Plaisance,  has  an  extent  of  one  thousand  and  fifty-five 
acres.  Artistic  taste  of  the  higliest  order  has  been  em- 
ployed in  the  laying  out  and  arrangement  of  the  land  and 
water  surface,  for  which  Lake  Michigan  has  been  placed 
under  contribution.  Lagoons  and  havens  and  meres 
spread  through  the  broad  expanse  of  land,  ramifying  here 
and    there    in    miniature  bay-like    indentations ;    in  other 


129 


parts  narrowing  and  widening  like  rivers,  whose  banks  are 
wooded  to  the  water's  edge.  The  undulating  surface  of 
Lake  Michigan  seen  through  the  green  vistas  of  leafy 
groves,  with  which  the  parks  are  liberally  supplied,  adds  a 
feature  of  enchantment  to  the  landscape  which  gains 
immeasurably  by  force  of  contrast  with  the  great  broad 
meadows  denominated  "  opens,"  that  stretch  away  inland. 
A  peculiarly  beautiful  feature  in  the  plan  of  the  South 
Parks  is  the  Midway  Plaisance  already  mentioned.  It 
contains,  as  stated,  ninety  acres,  is  nearly  a  mile  long,  and 
between  seven  and  eight  hundred  feet  w^ide.  Through  its 
centre  is  constructed  a  series  of  ornamental  basins  extend- 
ing its  entire  length,  margined  by  trees  and  shrubs,  and 
bordered  by  pleasant  shaded  walks.  The  basins,  which 
are  a  series  of  miniature  lakes,  vary  in  width  from  twenty 
to  over  a  hundred  feet,  and  receive  their  supply  of  water 
from  Lake  Michigan,  through  the  Lagoon  of  Jackson  Park, 
which  is  connected  by  the  Plaisance  with  Washington 
Park. 

Much  has  been  done,  but  still  more  remains  to  be 
effected  before  the  parks  of  the  Lake  City  are  finished  ; 
but  enough  has  been  accomplished  to  prove  the  earnest 
interest  which  the  people  take  in  the  subject. 

The  Public  Grounds  of  Washington. 

It  might  be  reasonably  supposed  that  of  all  the  cities  in 
the  United  States,  the  National  Capitol,  which  has  been 
appropriately  called  "  the  City  of  Magnificent  Distances," 
could  most  easily  dispense  with  large  breathing  places. 
With  its  broad  avenues  varying  in  width  from  one  hundred 
and  twenty  to  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet,  and  with  its 
streets  having  an  aggregate  length  of  two  hundred  and 
seventy-nine  miles,  it  would  seem  as  if  other  ''lungs  "  were 
wholly  superfluous.  Yet  with  the  wealth  of  space  it  pos- 
sesses in  its  tree-bordered  thoroughfares,  resembling  park- 


130 


ways,  it  lias  a  park  surface  of  about  oue  thousand  acres, 
including  the  Soldiers'  Home  and  other  grounds,  and  its 
great  avenues  and  open  spaces  have  an  area  of  2,554  acres, 
which  is  little  less  than  one-half  the  extent  of  the  city. 

The  City  of  Washington  was  designed  on  a  scale  of 
magnificence  surpassing  that  of  any  other  capital  in  the 
wo:fld,  and  its  "  Eeservations,"  or  public  grounds,  though 
of  less  area  than  those  of  several  other  cities  in  the  United 
States,  are  specially  deserving  of  notice  for  the  taste  and 
skill  displayed  in  their  plan  and  embellishment. 

"  The  Grounds,"  as  the  park  spaces  surrounding  the 
Capitol  and  Presidential  Mansion,  are  called,  have  a  total 
area  of  about  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  acres,  of  which 
eighty-one  acres  belong  to  the  latter  and  fifty-one  to  the 
former.  The  space  is  divided  into  walks,  parterres  and 
lawns,  the  character  of  the  surface  being  best  adapted  to 
this  method  of  treatment.  For  their  efiect  they  are  largely 
dependent  on  their  artistic  embellishments,  fountains, 
statuary,  etc.,  besides  the  grand  public  buildings  erected 
within  their  limits.  The  Botanical  Garden,  and  the  grounds 
and  buildings,  under  the  charge  of  the  Department  of 
Agriculture,  are,  however,  justly  regarded  as  the  most 
interesting  and  attractive  to  the  general  public,  and  partic- 
ularly to  the  visitors  at  the  Nation's  Capital. 

The  Botanical  Garden,  with  its  conservatories,  contains 
ten  acres,  the  jirincipal  feature  in  the  plan  being  the 
arrangement  of  the  numerous  flower  beds,  which  are  bright 
with  a  wealth  of  color,  and  redolent  of  delicious  perfume 
during  the  spring  and  summer.  In  the  conservatory  are  to 
be  found  the  plants  of  every  climate,  "  the  palm  tree  of 
Scripture,"  "  the  tree  fern  from  New  Zealand,"  "  the  screw 
pine  of  Australia,  with  its  cork-screw  leaves  and  roots  in 
mid  air,"  *'  the  dumb  cane  of  South  America,"  the  sap  of 
whose  root,  we  are  told,  "  takes  away  the  power  of  speech  ; " 
'^  the    Caffre   bread    tree    from    the   Cape  of  Good  Hope," 


en 


133 


*'  the  candle  nut  tree  from  the  Society  Islands,"  "  the  four 
century  plant,"  "  the  papay,  which  has  the  property  of 
rendering  the  toughest  meat  tender,"  "  the  monkey  bread 
plant,  which  grows  on  the  banks  of  the  Senegal,  reaches 
the  enormous  circumference  of  one  hundred  feet,  and  is 
supposed  to  attain  the  age  of  five  thousand  years;"  the 
eucalyptus  trees  which  drinks  up  miasm  and  purifies  the 
air;  besides  a  long  catalogue  of  other  marvelous  produc- 
tions of  the  floral  and  vegetable  world. 

The  Department  of  Agriculture,  not  so  much  for  the 
extent  of  its  grounds,  as  for  the  almost  endless  variety  it 
presents,  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  institutions  of  the 
City  of  Washington.  In  the  proper  sense  of  the  term  the 
land  which  has  been  appropriated  for  its  special  use  can- 
not be  called  a  park  ;  and  in  fact  the  title  as  applied  to 
nearly  all  the  public  grounds  of  the  National  Capital  is  a 
misnomer.  They  are  either  gardens  or  lawns,  subserving 
the  use  of  parks,  adorned  in  many  instances  with  statuary, 
vases,  fountains,  etc.,  or  relying  almost  wholly  for  their 
interest  on  the  public  buildings  erected  in  their  midst.  The 
Garden  of  the  Department  is  a  vast  collection  of  flowering 
plants,  without  a  tree  to  break  their  classified  order  and 
arrangement.  The  variety  is  almost  bewildering,  there  being 
nearly  two  thousand  different  species.  In  addition  to  the 
Garden  there  are  the  Experimental  Grounds  for  the  cultiva- 
tion and  propagation  of  fruits,  seeds  and  hardy  plants,  while 
for  aquatic  plants  there  are  artificial  lakes,  rivers  and 
swamps.  The  Arboretum  is  a  practical  school  of  botany, 
in  which  nearly  all  the  trees  of  the  world  are  catalogued 
and  classified,  and  the  Museum  of  Agriculture  embraces 
in  its  vast  and  ordered  array,  specimens  of  all  the  produc- 
tions of  the  vegetable  kingdom. 

As  in  the  grounds  of  the  Capitol,  so  those  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institute,  covering  an  extent  of  about  fifty  acres,  are 
laid   out   in   the   form  of  lawns,  groves,  walks  and  drives, 


134 


while  the  Washington  Monument  Park,  containing  forty- 
five  acres,  the  Soldiers'  Home,  five  hundred  acres,  with  its 
lakes  and  meadows,  and  drives  of  seven  miles  ;  the  Zoologi- 
cal Garden,  twenty  acres  ;  the  Propagating  Garden  eight 
acres  and  its  forcing  houses  and  nursery,  which  supply  the 
public  grounds  with  trees  and  shrubs — all  bear  testimony 
to  the  liberal  provision  which  has  been  made  in  the  appro- 
priation and  dedication  of  large  tracts  of  land  to  public 
use. 

But  the  City  of  Washington  is  not  wholly  dependent  on 
the  "  Reservation  "  or  "  Grounds,"  so  called,  for  the  recre- 
ation of  its  people.  In  the  suburbs  there  are  many  beauti- 
ful drives  and  grounds  open  to  the  public,  and  within  a  dis- 
tance of  fifteen  miles  is  Mount  Yernon,  the  home  and  tomb 
of  Washington,  a  priceless  legacy.  Here  is  the  garden 
designed  by  Washington  himself,  and  in  it  are  several  trees 
planted  by  his  own  hands.  Out  of  respect  to  the  memory 
of  the  Father  of  his  country,  the  grounds  have  been  left  in 
almost  the  same  condition  in  which  they  were  when  the 
Nation  stood  mourning  by  his  grave. 

The  total  area  of  the  grounds,  squares,  places  and 
reservations  open  to  the  people  of  Washington  and  visitors 
may  be  estimated  at  about  one  thousand  acres,  and  as  the 
population  of  the  National  Capital  is  something  over 
150,000,  there  is  about  one  acre  to  every  150  inhabitants. 

The  Parks  of  Boston. 

In  the  history  of  the  park  movement  in  the  United 
States,  the  city  of  Boston  is  entitled  to  and  should  receive 
special  mention.  With  a  true  appreciation  of  the  efi'ect  of 
large  open  spaces  on  the  public  health  in  the  first  place, 
and  of  profitable  results  to  the  public  treasury  in  the 
second,  as  an  important  factor  in  tlie  enhancement  of  real 
estate  values,   the  municipal    autliorities  of   Boston  have, 


1 


within  the  past  four  years,  increased  their  park  area  from 
three  hundred  and  fifty-five  acres  to  a  total  of  two  thousand 
three  hundred.  From  1879  to  1883  they  have  added  nine- 
teen hundred  and  forty-five  acres,  of  which  they  have 
already  secured,  by  actual  purchase,  seven  hundred  and 
thirty-nine,  leaving  a  balance  of  twelve  hundred  and  six  for 
which  the  necessary  proceedings  to  obtain  title  are  yet  to 
be  taken.  The  following  list  gives  the  names  and  area  of 
the  several  tracts,  in  acres  : 

Acres. 

Common  and  public  gardens 72|- 

Small  squares  and  parks 60|- 

Chestnut  Hill,  Parker  Hill,  and   Eagle 

Hill  Eeservoirs 222^ 

West  Roxbury 561 

Bussy  Park  and  Arnold  Arboretum 567 

Brighton  Park 160 

Jamaica  Park 122 

Muddy  Eiver  Improvement 110 

Back  Bay  Park 106 

Wood  Island  Park. 80 

City  Point  Park 50 

Charles  River  Embankment 60 

Connecting  parkways 70 

South  Bay  Park 35 

Savin  Hill  Park 13 

Total 2,289i 


As  the  population  of  Boston,  at  the  date  of  the  last 
census,  was  362,839,  or  one  acre  to  every  121  residents,  its 
park  area  compared  to  New  York  was  thirteen  to  one,  and 
it  largely  exceeded  even  that  of  Philadelphia,  Chicago,  St. 
Louis,  and  San  Francisco,  in  fact  of  every  park  city  in  the 
Union.     Impelled  by  the  laudable   desire  to  place   their 


136 


city  in  the  front  rank  of  the  great  movement  now  going  on 
in  favor  of  more  parks,  the  authorities  of  Boston  have  not 
only  made  the  most  liberal  appropriation  of  lands  for 
public  use,  but  they  have  resolved  that  nothing  shall  be 
wanting  in  their  general  design  for  lack  of  the  necessary 
means.  Realizing,  however,  the  true  uses  and  purposes 
of  parks,  the  officials  under  whose  control  they  have  been 
placed,  do  not  believe  in  elaborate  improvements  involving 
great  expense.  They  favor  the  protection  of  the  sylvan 
features  of  large  parks  and  the  exclusion  of  all  costly  arti- 
ficial ornamentation.  "  Simplicity  of  treatment  only  can," 
in  their  opinion,  "  harmonize  with  the  natural  beauties  of 
the  grounds,  while  any  unnecessary  architectural  or  engi- 
neering display  will  be  both  a  waste  and  disfigurement." 

Whatever  difference  of  opinion  there  may  be  on  this 
question,  there  can  be  none  that  such  should  be  the  treat- 
ment of  suburban  parks,  which  should  be  regarded  as 
everyday  playgrounds,  where  the  people  and  their  chil- 
dren, social  parties,  trade  societies,  benevolent  associations, 
athletic  clubs,  Sunday  and  other  schools,  can  enjoy  them- 
selves in  healthful  recreation,  and  where  they  are  sure  of 
protection  against  violence  and  rufiianism. 

"  The  love  of  rural  scenery,"  say  the  Boston  Park 
Commissioners,  in  one  of  their  early  reports  advocating 
more  parks,  "  is  universal,  and  the  opportunity  only  is 
wanting  to  prove  how  thankfully  the  people  will  walk  mile 
after  mile  from  their  city  homes,  if  only  they  can  find  fields 
and  woods  where  they  are  free  t6  enjoy  their  lioliday  time. 
The  cultivation  of  the  old-fashioned  and  healthful  habit  of 
walking  will  not  be  the  least  of  the  blessings  to  follow  from 
the  laying  out  of  these  suburban  works."  And,  as  the 
result  has  proved,  the  people  of  Boston  concurred  in  that 
opinion,  for  in  the  few  years  that  have  elapsed  since  it  was 
expressed,  they  added,  as  we  have  shown,  nearly  two  thou- 
sand acres  to  the  park  area  of  1879. 


137 


But  while  the  Boston  Commissioners  are  desirous  of 
avoiding  all  unnecessary  expense,  they  do  not  underestimate 
the  value  of  flowers,  plants,  etc. 

A  School  of  Arboriculture  the  Need  of  the  Times. 

They  have  therefore  added  a  new  feature  to  their  park 
system,  called  the  "Arboretum,"  which  is  commended  to 
the  people  as  "  a  museum  of  living  plants  in  which  every 
tree  and  shrub  capable  of  withstanding  the  climate  of 
Massachusetts  is  to  find  its  appropriate  place,"  "  as  a  school 
of  forestry  and  arboriculture,"  and  as  "  a  scientific  station 
for  investigation  into  the  relations  of  forests  to  climate 
and  the  flow  of  rivers,  and  into  the  best  methods  of  forest 
reproduction  and  management." 

An  institution  of  this  kind,  if  conducted  with  earnest- 
ness and  scientific  ability,  must  prove  a  most  valuable 
adjunct  not  only  to  the  park  system  of  Boston  but  of  other 
cities  as  well,  and  particularly  of  New  York. 

The  public  interest  which  has  of  late  been  manifested 
in  the  subject  of  forestry  in  this  State  in  consequence  of 
the  rapid  destruction  of  the  woods  of  the  Adirondacks, 
will  ere  long  take  such  shape  and  direction  as  shall  secure 
the  legislation  so  much  needed  for  the  preservation  not 
alone  of  the  forests  of  that  picturesque  resort  of  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  visitors,  but  of  the  noble  Hudson,  the 
navigation  of  which  is  already  seriously  threatened  from 
the  same  cause.  We  also  require  an  arboretum  which 
shall  teach  our  people  wliat  is  necessary  for  the  protection  of 
our  greatest  water  course.  And  as  through  it  the  Erie  Canal 
connects  us  with  the  western  lakes,  the  commercial  suprem- 
acy of  our  metropolis  and  all  its  dependent  interests  as 
well,  it  is  impossible  to  overestimate  the  importance  of 
this  question.  Every  such  aid,  therefore,  as  the  aboretum, 
should  be  enlisted  in  a  movement  so  vital  to  the  material 
interests  of  our  metropolis. 


13b 


The  park  question  is  in  fact  intimately  connected  with 
that  of  sylviculture,  a  topic  which  has  for  some  years 
interested  the  civilized  world.  In  discussing,  therefore,  the 
necessity  for  more  public  parks,  your  Commission  deemed 
a  special  reference  to  this  subject  neither  inappropriate 
nor  inopportune.  The  planting  and  cultivation  of  trees  is 
an  essential  feature  of  park  management,  and  these  we  are 
told  by  a  high  scientific  French  authority  (M.  Becquerel), 
"  tame  the  infected  air  and  deprive  it  of  its  miasmas."  We 
are  also  informed  that  "  when  a  current  of  bad  air  laden 
with  pestilential  miasma  penetrates  a  forest  of  a  certain 
extent  it  is  wholly  deprived  of  these  properties." 

The  public  should  be  educated  to  a  sense  of  the  impor- 
tant part  performed  by  trees  in  the  economy  of  nature,  and 
especially  as  to  their  effect  in  maintaining  the  fluvial  sup- 
ply of  rivers,  streams  and  canals,  a  matter  which,  as  shown 
in  the  able  and  comprehensive  reports  of  Mr.  Yerplanck 
Colvin,  the  Superintendent  of  the  Adirondack  Survey, 
seriously  affects  the  navigation  of  the  Hudson  and  the  com- 
mercial interests  of  our  metropolis. 

*' The  influence  of  trees,"  says  the  Memorial  of  the 
American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science, 
"  in  connection  with  the  questions  of  water  supply  for 
cities  and  the  maintenance  of  hydraulic  power  and  of  nav- 
igation in  rivers  and  canals  where  these  may  be  affected  by 
drought,  deserves  serious  attention." 

The  Executive  Committee  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
of  the  City  of  New  York,  in  a  similar  memorial,  observes 
that,  "  in  consequence  of  the  destruction  of  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  forests  which  once  formed  the  watershed 
of  the  Hudson,  many  of  the  small  streams  which  once 
flowed  continuously  throughout  the  year  are  now  dry 
during  several  months,  and  the  effect  of  the  diminution  of 
the  water  upon  the  Hudson  is  already  so  great  that  naviga- 


141 


tion   above    Troy  is   rendered    almost   impossible    in   dry 
seasons." 

The  Governor  of  our  State,  in  his  recent  message,  in 
which  he  dwells  with  timely  emphasis  on  this  vital  subject, 
says  : 

The  immense  volume  of  commerce  which  passes  through  the  Erie 
Canal  and  the  Hudson  river  to  the  seaboard,  and  the  low  stage  of  water 
during  the  summer  in  the  last-named  waterway,  as  well  as  the  other 
rivers  and  streams  of  the  State,  have  attracted  the  attention  of  the  public 
to  the  necessity  of  arresting  the  further  destruction  of  our  northern 
forests. 

This  is  certainly  a  very  important  matter,  and  should  receive  early 
and  serious  attention.  We  find  ourselves  facing  the  danger  which  now 
so  excites  the  people,  because  the  interests  of  the  State  have  not  been 
cared  for  in  the  years  that  are  past,  and  because  our  forest-laden  lands 
have  been  recklessly  disposed  of  at  nominal  prices,  until,  at  this  late  day, 
we  are  awakened  to  the  fact  that  the  control  which  the  State  should  have 
always  maintained  over  that  part  of  those  lands  which  are  important  to 
the  preservation  of  our  streams  has  been  to  a  large  extent  surrendered. 

The  President  of  the  United  States  has  made  the  sub- 
ject a  matter  of  special  reference  in  his  recent  message  to 
Congress,  and  recommends  as  of  "  the  highest  conse- 
quence," "  the  preservation  of  such  portions  of  the  forests 
of  the  national  domain  as  essentially  contribute  to  the 
equable  flow  of  important  water  courses." 

The  Parks  of  St.  Louis. 

With  a  population  of  350„522,  St.  Louis  has  a  park  area 
of  2,232  acres  and  ranks  next  to  Boston  on  the  list  of 
American  cities  distinguished  for  their  interest  in  this 
movement.  While  they  have  made  ample  provision  in  the 
acreage  which  they  have  set  apart  for  pleasure  grounds, 
they  have  however,  practised  a  rigid  economy  in  their 
management  and  are  evidently  satisfied  to  leave  to  the 
future,  works  of  embellishment  that  would  necessitate  a 
large  outlay.     There  are  nineteen  parks  in  St.  Louis,  the 


142 


largest  of  wliicli,  Forest  Park,  contains  1,372  acres.  The 
following  list  gives  the  dimensions  of  the  larger  ones,  the 
others  consisting  of  a  number  of  small  squares  and  places 
varymcr  in  area  from  one  to  twelve  acres. 

1  o 

Acres. 

Forest  Park   1,372 

Carondelet 180 

O'Fallon 158 

Tower  Grove 267 

Lafayette 30 

The  Fair  Grounds 83 

Missouri  Botanical  Gardens 50 

For  the  cultivation  of  fish  and  plants — two  somewhat 
incongruous  industries,  it  must  be  admitted — yearly  appro- 
priations are  made.  From  the  last  annual  report,  we  learn 
that  ten  thousand  young  carp  were  distributed  from  the 
hatchery  at  Forest  Park,  and  that  thirty  thousand  healthy 
young  trees  have  been  raised  in  the  same  park.  As  both 
the  Yan  Cortlandt  and  Bronx  Parks  have  a  large  water 
surface,  and  as  the  lake  and  river  are  well  suited,  one  to 
the  raising  of  trout  and  the  other  to  the  cultivation  of  black 
bass,  both  kinds  being  found  in  their  waters,  our  Fish 
Commissioners  would  doubtless  be  permitted  to  turn  them 
to  good  account  by  establishing  hatcheries,  which  could  be 
done  at  small  expense.  Thus,  wdth  a  botanical  garden,  a 
well  supplied  menagerie,  and  a  fish  hatchery,  we  should 
take  in  nearly  the  whole  field  of  animated  nature,  and  our 
parks  would  possess  a  school  of  natural  history  with  living 
illustrations,  instead  of  dead  specimens  preserved  in  alco- 
liol  or  stuffed  with  bran. 

The  Parks  of  Philadelphia. 

While  Chicago,  St.  Louis  and  Boston  have  each  a 
larger  park  area  in  proportion  to  the  population  than 
Philadelphia,  there  is  no  city  in  the  whole  countr}^  which 


143 

can  boast  of  a  park  of  such  magnificent  dimensions. 
Indeed,  Philadelphia's  splendid  pleasure-ground  is  only 
surpassed  by  the  great  parks  of  Paris  and  London,  and, 
according  to  the  testimony  of  competent  witnesses,  it  is 
unsurpassed  in  its  natural  advantages.  Covering  an 
extent  of  two  thousand  six  hundred  and  forty-eight 
acres,  and  endowed  with  the  peculiar  charm  that  belongs 
to  diversity  of  surface  and  picturesque  scenery  it  requires 
no  artificial  aid  to  enhance  its  beauty. 

Nature,  in  fact,  appears  to  have  lavished  upon  this 
favored  tract  some  of  her  rarest  gifts  :  j^rimeval  forests, 
deep  shady  glens,  huge  masses  of  gray  rock,  clear  spark- 
ling fountains,  rivulets  pouring  from  the  hill-sides  to  swell 
the  waters  of  the  broad  Schuylkill  and  the  wildly  romantic 
Wissahickon,  one  of  the  loveliest  of  mountain  streams.  For 
miles  and  miles  the  visitor  passes  from  one  scene  of  enchant- 
ment to  another — at  times  traversing  great  tracts  of  green 
meadow-land  set  in  a  frame-work  of  trees  centuries  old ; 
at  times  wandering  through  the  exquisite  valley  of  the 
Wissahickon,  glimpses  of  which  only  can  be  seen  through 
the  dense  foliage  in  which  it  is  partly  embosomed  ;  now 
passing  through  thickly  wooded  ravines,  where  the  sun- 
light hardly  penetrates  the  deep  gloom,  then  emerging  into 
the  open  country  he  finds  himself  among  the  scenes  of  the 
famous  International  Exposition  of  1876,  where  many  of 
the  splendid  structures  then  erected  still  remain  as  memen- 
tos of  that  great  event. 

"Lying,"  says  a  recent  report  of  Fairmount  Park,  "in 
what  in  a  few  years  will  be  the  very  heart  of  the  city,  con- 
sidered in  reference  to  the  uses  for  which  it  is  intended  and 
the  situation  it  occupies,  it  may  justly  claim  to  be  without 
a  rival."  One  important  object  was  attained  by  its  creation, 
the  prevention  of  the  spread  of  manufacturing  establish- 
ments along  the  margins  of  the  Schuylkill  and  its  tributa- 
ries, as  in  the  appropriation  of  the  land  along  the  Bronx 


144 


we  would  save  that  stream  from  the  pollution  which  would 
inevitably  follow  from  the  discharge  of  impurities  into  its 
waters.  And  to  accomplish  this  result  as  well  as  to  give 
the  people  of  Philadelphia  a  park  of  which  they  may  well 
feel  proud,  the  Fairmount  Park  Commissioners  paid  for  the 
land  taken  $6,105,069,  exclusive  of  the  cost  of  improve- 
ments. ''  By  Philadelphia  having  the  park,"  say  the  Com- 
missioners, "  in  contrast  with  Philadelphia  without  the 
park,  we  shall  soon  have  a  value  added  to  our  real  estate 
and  taxable  resources  more  than  commensurate  ivith  the  pur- 
chase money  of  all  the  2^ci'i%  ccnd  that  value  iv'dl  increase 
indefinitely.  In  this  way  the  city  will  be  more  than  a  second 
time  requited  for  her  whole  outlay.  *  *  *  Conceive  of 
our  approximate  millions  and  coming  millions  as  being 
without  the  Fairmount  Park.  Can  any  human  imagination 
begin  to  estimate  the  sum  of  human  health  and  happiness 
that  would  be  lost  to  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  the 
world  ?  "Who  could  make  the  trial  to  run  the  parallel  of 
the  value  of  $10,000,000  as  the  price  of  the  park  invested 
and  running  at  interest  for  the  city  with  the  successive 
generations  of  her  millions  of  people  without  the  culture, 
and  health,  and  happiness  of  the  park  and  not  feel  humilia- 
tion, and,  withal,  being  shocked  at  the  meanness  of  the  sug- 
gestion ?  Money  is  a  sacred  trust,  indeed,  for  its  potency 
for  good;  but  life,  health,  happiness  and  gratitude  to  God 
are  worth  more  than  all  hoarded  wealth.  We  have  and 
will  keep  this  park ;  we  will  improve  and  love  it ;  it  shall 
be  our  pride  and  perpetual  enjoyment ;  it  shall  be  for  us  '  a 
thing  of  beauty  and  a  joy  forever.'  " 

This  is  enthusiasm,  but  it  is  excusable,  nay  more,  com- 
mendable, for  Fairmount  Park  has  indeed  been  made  "a 
joy"  to  many.  Thus  we  are  told  that  by  the  humane  efforts 
and  charitable  contributions  of  philanthropic  citizens  many 
thousands  of  poor  children  have,  during  the  heated  terms 
of   several    successive    years,  been   enabled   to   enjoy  the 


10 


147 

beauties  of  Fairmount.  For  the  accommodation  of  visitors 
there  are  places  of  refreshment ;  for  sight-seers,  observa- 
tories ;  for  children,  swings,  flying-horses,  etc. ;  for  the 
militia,  spacious  parade  grounds ;  for  athletic,  base  ball, 
croquet,  and  other  clubs,  ample  play  grounds  ;  while  the 
Schuylkill  is  the  scene  of  many  a  boat  race  and  regatta. 

Of  the  buildings  of  the  Centennial  there  remain 
Memorial  Hall,  Horticultural  Hall,  Machinery  Hall,  and 
the  Main  Building,  besides  some  pavilions  of  foreign  coun- 
tries and  of  the  various  States.  So  popular  has  the  Park 
become  that  as  many  as  one  hundred  thousand  persons 
have  visited  it  on  a  summer's  day,  and  thousands  come 
from  adjoining  States  to  enjoy  its  scenery  and  health-giving 
air.  In  its  Centennial  buildings  it  has  of  course  an  attrac- 
tion which  no  other  park  in  the  country  possesses  ;  but,  if 
New  York  do  not  permit  her  opportunity  to  pass,  she,  too, 
may  have,  within  the  boundaries  of  one  of  the  proposed 
parks,  the  grand  structures  of  another  and  a  greater  exhi- 
bition to  add  to  its  attractions. 

It  is  in  the  power  of  your  Honorable  Bodies  to  place  this 
possibility  within  her  reach,  by  making  timely  provision 
for  the  future.  Every  year's  delay  adds  to  the  expense,  and 
reduces  the  area  of  the  land  demanded  by  the  necessities 
of  the  present,  not  to  speak  of  the  wants  of  the  future. 
Surely  this  is  something  not  merely  to  hope  for,  but  to 
work  for  and  to  achieve.  As  we  have  shown,  in  our  esti- 
mates of  the  financial  results  which  have  followed  the 
creation  of  parks  regarded  as  a  speculation  only,  it  is  one 
of  the  most  profitable  in  which  the  public  money  could  be 
invested,  giving  more  than  tenfold  returns  on  the  outlay. 
And  after  all,  is  this  not  a  minor  consideration  compared 
with  its  beneficial  effects  upon  the  people  from  a  moral  as 
well  as  a  sanitary  standpoint  ?  If  "  a  sound  mind  in  a 
sound  body "  is  the  one  thing   desirable,  then  whatever 


U8 


tends  to  secure  that  inestimable  blessing  for  a  people  is 
surely  well  worthy  the  attention  of  their  legislators. 

In  addition  to  Fairmount,  there  are  several  public  parks, 
which  swell  the  aggregate  park  area  of  Philadelphia  to 
nearly  three  thousand  acres.  The  principal  of  these  are 
Hunting  Park,  forty  acres ;  Washington  Square,  seven  ; 
Franklin  Square,  eight ;  Logan  Square,  eight ;  Independence 
Square,  five ;  Eittenhouse  Square,  seven ;  and  many  others 
of  less  extent. 

Before  closing  this  reference  to  the  parks  of  Philadel- 
phia, it  is  but  justice  to  refer  to  the  Fairmount  Park 
Association,  a  society  of  citizens  of  Philadelphia  number- 
ing over  a  thousand  members,  who  have  already  done 
much  for  the  adornment  of  the  grounds  and  contributed 
many  valuable  works  of  art  toward  their  embellishment. 

In  a  notice  of  this  great  park,  hardly  less  could  be 
said,  but  having  said  so  much,  we  desire  to  express  our 
firm  conviction  that  our  new  wards  and  the  adjacent  terri- 
tory on  the  Sound  possess  capabilities  for  park  uses  that 
are  not  excelled — that  are  not  equalled — even  by  the  City  of 
Brotherly  Love.  The  views  with  which  this  report  is 
illustrated  afford  indisputable  evidence  in  support  of  that 
claim.  In  extent  of  territory  embraced  within  the  limits 
of  a  single  park,  Philadelphia  may  take  the  lead,  but  in 
the  picturesque  and  romantic,  New  York,  in  the  sites  of 
her  contemplated  parks,  can  hold  her  own  against  so  for- 
midable a  rival,  while  the  proposed  park  on  the  Sound 
would  stand  without  an  equal. 

The  Parks  of  Brooklyn. 

The  evidence  which  your  Commission  have  obtained  from 
the  history  and  administration  of  the  parks  of  Brooklyn, 
sustain  and  confirm  the  experience  of  other  cities  in  regard 
to  the  beneficial  influences  exercised  by  these  great  public 
improvements  on  the  value  of  surrounding  property.     The 


149 


effect  of  the  establishment  of  Brooklyn's  great  pleasure 
ground  (Prospect  Park),  which  deserves  a  place  among  the 
most  beautiful  parks  of  America  and  Europe,  was  only  less 
striking  than  that  produced  by  the  creation  of  our  own 
Central. 

In  the  year  preceding  the  commencement  of  the  work 
of  improvement  that  portion  of  the  city  extending  from 
Atlantic  avenue  and  sweeping  around  its  southerly  limits  to 
the  west,  and  now  including  some  of  the  most  eligible 
jDroperty,  lay  in  a  state  of  neglect,  with  no  prospect  of  a 
change.  Much"  of  it  was  to  be  bought  by  the  acre,  its  only 
use  being  for  the  purposes  of  agriculture,  and  when  sold 
the  price  varied  from  $50  to  $250  per  lot.  On  the  westerly 
border  of  Prospect  Park  the  extended  sloping  ground  com- 
manding a  view  of  New  York  Bay,  Staten  Island  and  New 
Jersey,  the  value  of  single  lots  ranged  from  $250  to  $600. 
This  property,  we  are  informed  by  Mr.  John  Y.  Cuyler, 
the  Superintendent  and  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Brooklyn 
Park,  to  whose  courtesy  we  are  indebted  for  these  facts, 
rapidly  increased  in  value,  and  the  real  estate  transactions 
of  the  period  from  1866  to  1873  were  very  active,  prices 
rising  to  a  startling  height.  Many  of  the  sales  showed  an 
advance  of  between  /ow/- a/ic?/ye  hundred  per  cent,  while  as 
much  as  $8,000  to  $10,000  were  paid  in  exceptional  cases 
for  single  lots.  Real  estate  was  depressed  here  as  else- 
where by  the  financial  revulsion  of  1873,  but  the  effect  was 
transient,  and  to-day  a  much  more  extended  area  of  prop- 
erty has,  by  reason  of  its  contiguity  to  the  park,  long  since 
recovered  and  reached  a  much  higher  value.  "As  a  re- 
sult," says  Mr.  Cuyler,  "  a  careful  investigation  of  the 
change  of  values  and  the  higher  rate  of  taxation  disclosed 
by  examination  of  the  Assessors  and  Tax  Office,  it  may  be 
confidently  asserted  that  the  establishment  of  Prospect 
Park  and  the  smaller  parks  ha&  been  generally  beneficial  as 
a  financial  venture  on  the  part  of  the   municipality,  and 


150 


that  as  a  matter  of  fact  impose  no  burden  upon  the  taxpayer, 
but  have  been  and  are  an  important  factor  in  contributing 
to  the  city  an  increased  revenue,  which,  were  it  separated 
and  credited  to  a  sinking  fund,  would  at  the  present  time, 
and  in  some  instances  entirely  so,  go  a  long  way  towards 
paying  off  the  indebtedness  incurred  by  the  issue  of  bonds  for 
the  original  purchase  of  the  lands  and  their  improvement. 

Prospect  Park  may  be  said  to  rival  the  Central,  and  it 
certainly  has  a  decided  advantage  over  it  in  the  command- 
ing view  afforded  from  its  elevated  points  of  the  ocean,  the 
Bay  of  New  York,  and  the  picturesque  shores  of  Staten 
Island  and  New  Jersey.  Until  our  metropolis  acquires 
the  magnificent  area  recommended  by  your  Commission, 
under  the  title  of  Pelham  Bay  Park,  our  sister  city  will 
continue  to  possess  the  superiority  which  she  now  enjoys. 

The  tract  of  land  embraced  within  the  limits  of  Brook- 
lyn's great  park  has  an  extent  of  515  acres,  and  with  the 
adjoining  Parade  Ground  an  aggregate  of  555.  About  fifty 
of  these  are  laid  out  in  the  form  of  lakes,  w^hich  are  sup- 
plied by  artesian  wells.  They  constitute,  with  their  mini- 
ature and  picturesque  islands,  a  most  pleasing  feature,  and 
seen  through  the  vista  of  embowering  trees  are  singularly 
picturesque.  The  Long  Meadow  is  a  fine  stretch  of  open 
sward,  extending  the  whole  length  of  one  side  of  the  park, 
with  a  thickly  set  and  broad  border  of  handsome  shade 
trees.  Ample  space  has  been  given  to  playgrounds  for  the 
children,  and  a  picnic  ground,  while  the  Parade  Ground 
not  only  accommodates  the  National  Guard  of  Brooklyn, 
but  through  the  courtesy  of  the  authorities  of  that  city, 
our  own  citizen  soldiers,  who  have  for  years  been  depend- 
ent on  our  sister  city,  are  allowed  the  privilege  of  using  it 
on  special  occasions.  With  its  six  miles  of  broad  and  sub- 
j^tantial  drives,  its  four  miles  of  equestrian  road,  and  its 
t  vventy  miles  of  walks,  traversing  the   most  attractive   and 


153 


pleasant  portion  of  its  grounds,  Prospect  Park  is  fully 
entitled  to  all  that  has  been  said  in  its  praise. 

But  Prospect  Park,  like  the  Yan  Cortlandt,  is  not 
wholly  dependent  on  its  picturesque  attractions  for  the 
high  position  it  holds  among  j)nblic  pleasure  grounds.  It 
has  historic  traditions  which  give  it  a  special  value  in  the 
eyes  of  the  citizens  of  Brooklyn.  The  site  of  a  redoubt 
which  commanded  a  road  called  "The  Battle  Pass,"  is 
carefully  preserved  as  a  memento  of  the  sanguinary  combat 
that  took  place  there  between  the  Hessian  mercenaries  and 
the  patriot  forces  under  command  of  General  Sullivan. 
The  redoubt  was  constructed  on  the  summit  of  a  bluff  over- 
looking the  Flatbush  and  Old  Port  roads  at  their  junction 
in  the  Valley  Grove,  and  around  the  fortification,  wherever 
the  tide  of  battle  ebbed  and  flowed,  evidence  of  its  fury 
has  been  found  by  the  workmen  employed  on  this  part  of 
the  Park.  Muskets,  bayonets,  sabres,  balls,  etc.,  were  dug 
up  in  the  progress  of  the  work  and  placed  in  safe-keeping 
as  valuable  relics  and  mementos  of  the  heroic  past  and  of 
the  part  which  Kings  county  played  in  the  war  for  inde- 
pendence. 

The  next  largest  pul)lic  ground,  Washington  Park, 
formerly  called  Fort  Green,  has  an  area  of  thirty  acres, 
and  is  a  favorite  resort  of  the  residents  in  its  vicinity. 
Here,  as  in  the  case  of  Prospect  Park,  the  most  satisfactory 
financial  results  were  obtained  in  the  rise  of  real  estate, 
and  an  increased  revenue  from  enhanced  values.  Within 
this  park  is  the  vault  to  which  were  transferred,  about  ten 
years  ago,  the  twelve  thousand  bodies  of  the  "  seamen, 
soldiers  and  citizens,  who,''  in  the  language  of  the  report 
of  the  Park  Commissioners  of  Brooklyn,  "  fell  victims  to 
the  cruelties  of  the  British  on  board  their  prison  ships 
during  the  American  Revolution  ;  "  and  over  this  vault  a 
memorial  is  in  process  of  construction  which  will  form  the 
chief  object  of  attraction  to  every  visitor. 


154 


The  Parade  Ground  contains  buildings  for  the  use  of 
the  Second  Division.  It  is  also  the  most  popular  available 
resort  for  field  sports  for  the  youth  of  the  city  to  be  found 
anywhere  in  the  county,  and  affords  accommodations  with- 
out charge  for  the  use  of  colleges,  schools,  and  amateur 
organizations  for  the  games  of  base  ball,  cricket,  lacrosse, 
foot  ball,  etc. 

The  following  table  shows  the  present  park  area  of 
Brooklyn,  Avhich  it  is  intended  to  increase  by  further 
additions  in  the  near  future  : 

Acres. 

Prospect  Park 515 

Parade  Ground , 40 

Washington  Park , .      30 

Tompkins  Park 7| 

City  Hall 7J 

Carroll  Park 2 

City  Hall  Park 1 J 

Small  enclosures 4 

Ocean  Parkway,  5J  miles  long  and  270  feet  wide.  180 
Coney  Island  Concourse,  2,750  feet  long  by  1,000 

feet  wide 70 

Eastern  Parkway,  2  J  miles  long  and  270  feet  wide     82 

939| 

The  Ocean  Parkway,  extending  from  Prospect  Park  to 
Coney  Island,  is  connected  with  the  Coney  Island  Con- 
course, which  faces  the  ocean,  and  both  of  these  splendid 
avenues  form  one  of  the  grandest  drives  and  promenades 
in  the  world. 

An  interesting  and  instructive  fact  connected  with  the 
administration  of  the  Brooklyn  parks  is  worthy  of  special 
mention.  The  total  cost  of  lands  for  parks,  parkways, 
etc.,  was  $4,000,000,  and,  as  a  means  of  defraying  this 
expense,  a  surplus  of  one  hundred  acres  was  set  apart  to 


155 


}^e  sold  under  an  empowering  act  of  the  Legisla^ture.  Of 
this  tract  one  hundred  lots  have  been  disposed  of  for 
$500,000,  and  there  remains  still  to  be  sold  seven  hundred 
more,  which  it  is  estimated  will  realize  $1,500,000,  making 
in  all  $2,000,000,  or  one-half  the  original  cost  of  all  the 
lands.  This,  it  should  be  understood,  is  exclusive  of 
the  financial  gain  accruing  to  the  city  through  the 
largely  increased  revenue  obtained  from  the  property 
surrounding  the  parks.  If  we  compare  the  efforts  which 
Brooklyn  has  made  in  providing  recreation  grounds  for 
her  people  with  the  progress  of  New  York  in  the  same 
direction,  it  must  be  admitted  that  the  advantage  is  largely 
in  favor  of  the  former. 

The  Parks  of  Buffalo. 

The  area  of  all  the  public  lands  in  the  City  of  Buffalo 
laid  out  in  the  form  of  parks  and  parkways  is  six  hundred 
and  twenty  acres,  and  of  these  something  more  than  one- 
half  is  embraced  within  the  limits  of  the  principal  pleas- 
ure ground,  which  is  known  by  the  distinctive  title  of 
"  The  Park."  It  is  connected  by  broad  drives  with  a  sur- 
rounding, open  tract  of  at  least  thrice  its  extent,  and 
adjoins  the  State  Asylum  Grounds  of  two  hundred  acres 
and  Forest  Lawn  Cemetery  of  two  hundred  and  thirty 
acres.  So  that  there  is  in  the  whole  combined  area  a  grand 
open  space  of  at  least  one  thousand  acres.  Besides  these 
there  is  "  The  Front,''  of  fifty  acres,  which  overlooks  Lake 
Erie  from  a  bluff  sixty  feet  above  its  waters,  commanding  a 
fine  prospect  over  the  inland  sea  and  pleasant  views  of 
Niagara  river  and  the  Canadian  frontier.  An  adjacent  tract 
of  seventeen  acres,  called  Fort  Porter,  is  open  to  the  pub- 
lic, forming  a  total  area  of  nearly  seventy  acres,  which  is 
one  of  the  most  popular  resorts  during  the  summer  months. 
The  Parade  for  military  use  has  an  area  of  fifty  acres  and 
there  are  about  forty  acres   in   eight   public    squares    or 


156 


places.  The  park  approaches  consisting  of  four  parkways 
have  a  width  of  two  hundred  feet  and  a  length  of  three 
miles,  and  these,  in  connection  with  four  miles  of  avenues^ 
one  hundred  feet  wide,  form  a  connecting  link  between  all 
the  public  grounds  of  the  city. 

But  when,  in  addition  to  this  generous  policy  in  pro- 
viding breathing  places  for  the  people  the  comparatively 
near  proximity  of  the  International  Park  at  Niagara  Falls 
(a  little  more  than  half  an  hour  by  rail)  is  considered,  the 
City  of  Buffalo  may  be  regarded  as  specially  favored.  In 
anticipation  of  the  establishment  of  this  park  through  the 
combined  action  of  the  State  of  New  York  and  the  Domin- 
ion of  Canada  it  is  proposed  to  form  a  grand  boulevard 
uniting  the  two  park  systems,  thus  bringing  Buffalo 
'*  within  a  two  hours'  drive,"  say  the  Commissioners,  "  of  a 
resort  attracting  tourists  from  all  parts  of  the  civilized 
world." 


The  Parks  of  Baltimore,  San  Francisco  and  Savannah. 

Among  the  finest  public  grounds  in  the  United  States, 
may  be  classed  Druid  Hill  Park,  a  beautiful  tract  of  about 
seven  hundred  acres,  with  finely  diversified  surface,  and 
presenting  from  its  towering  hill  extended  views  of  the 
surrounding  country.  Its  lawns,  its  forest,  its  pines,  its 
wilderness,  its  lakes  and  fish  ponds,  make  up  a  combina- 
tion of  all  the  features  that  are  essential  to  the  popularity 
of  a  park.  The  Baltimoreans  are  justly  proud  of  it,  and 
have  embellished  it  with  many  ornamental  structures  that 
harmonize  with  and  add  to  the  natural  attractions  of  the 
place.  Druid  Hill  is  traversed  by  fourteen  miles  of  car- 
riage roads,  two  miles  of  bridle  paths  and  fourteen  miles  of 
walks.  In  its  extent  of  land  surface,  it  is  almost  equal  to 
Central  Park. 


159 


In  addition,  Baltimore  possesses  the  following  public 
pleasure-grounds  under  control  of  the  Park  Commission  : 
Patterson  Park,  fifty  acres  ;  Riverside  Park,  seventeen  acres 
and  a  quarter ;  and  Federal  Hill  Park,  eight  acres  and  a 
quarter,  making  an  aggregate  of  seven  hundred  and 
seventy-six  acres  and  a  half. 

According  to  the  last  census,  the  population  of  San 
Francisco  was  233,936,  and  it  has  increased  since  then  to 
at  least  a  quarter  of  a  million.  This  is  about  one-sixth  the 
present  number  of  inhabitants  in  New  York,  which  it  sur- 
passes in  park  area  in  the  proportion  of  six  to  one,  for 
while  San  Francisco,  as  shown  by  the  statement  on  another 
page,  has  one  acre  to  every  211,  New  York  has  but  one  acre 
to  every  1,363  of  its  residents.  The  Golden  Gate  City  pos- 
sesses a  total  park  area  of  1,181  acres,  in  which  are  included 
one  great  pleasure-ground  of  1,040  acres,  the  balance,  141 
acres,  being  divided  into  local  parks,  squares  and  botanical 
and  zoological  gardens.  The  great  park  overlooks  the  bay, 
and  the  land  and  marine  views  seen  from  its  elevated 
points  are  probably  among  the  most  attractive  and 
picturesque  presented  by  any  park  in  the  world.  The 
park  itself  cannot  justly  lay  claim  to  a  place  among  pleas- 
ure grounds  of  the  first  class,  for  a  considerable  portion  of 
its  surface  consists  of  sand  wastes,  which,  however,  are 
being  rapidly  brought  under  cultivation.  Much  attention 
is  given  to  rare  and  tropical  plants,  and  the  conservatory 
devoted  to  those  marvels  of  the  floral  world,  the  orchids,  is 
one  of  the  most  pleasing  and  interesting  features  of  the 
park.  The  gigantic  water  lily  of  South  America,  known 
as  the  "  Victoria  Regia,"  with  its  huge  circular  leaves, 
twenty-two  and  twenty-three  feet  in  circumference,  has 
been  raised  here  successfully  from  the  seed.  The 
deficiency  of  the  park  in  woods — its  natural  condition  is 
that  of  an  almost  treeless  waste — is  being  rapidly  sup- 
plied, over  three  hundred  and  twenty  thousand   trees  of 


160 


many  varieties,  shrubs  and  flowering  plants  being  set  in 
two  years,  leaving  in  the  nursery  still  no  less  than  116,550. 
The  City  of  Savannah,  situated  on  a  tract  of  almost 
level  land,  while  it  has  only  one  large  pleasure-ground, 
exceeds  in  proportion  to  its  population  even  London  or 
Paris  in  the  number  of  its  local  parks  and  squares.  These 
vary  in  area  from  one  acre  to  an  acre  and  a  half,  and  are 
located  two,  three  or  four  blocks  apart,  forming  pretty, 
green  medallions  in  the  central  part  of  the  city.  The 
Mayor  of  Savannah  informs  your  Commission  that  the 
establishment  of  these  breathing-places  had  the  effect  of 
doubling  the  value  of  the  adjacent  property,  and  there  can 
be  no  doubt  that  they  aided  largely  in  improving  the  sani- 
tary condition  of  the  city.  The  whole  park  area  is  about 
sixty  acres,  of  which  one-half  is  included  in  the  main 
park,  the  other  half  being  distributed  among  twenty-four 
squares,  many  of  which  are  planted  with  trees  and  flower- 
ing shrubs. 


161 


The  Parks  of  Europe, 


L 


Pleasure  Grounds  of  London— Twenty-two  Thousand 

Acres. 

European  parks  have  been  planned  and  laid  out  on  the 
most  liberal  scale,  and  with  the  exception  of  certain  tracts 
devoted  to  horticulture  and  particular  purposes,  they  are 
mostly  free  over  their  whole  surface,  without  restriction  to 
visitors. 

Thus  they  have  come  to  be  justly  regarded  as  the  play- 
grounds of  the  people,  where  young  and  old,  and  all  classes 
and  conditions  are  free  to  enjoy  themselves,  and  roam  over 
their  broad  plains  and  under  the  shade  of  their  magnificent 
woods  without  unnecessary  interference.  Foremost  among 
the  great  capitals  of  the  old  world  in  the  space  devoted  to 
public  use,  deservedly  stand  Paris  and  London,  and  your 
Commission  feel  that  this  report  would  be  incomplete 
were  it  to  pass  over  without  a  brief  notice  the  liberal  pro- 
vision which  the  municipal  authorities  of  these  cities 
have  made  for  their  people  in  this  important  respect. 

Within,  and  in  the  near  vicinity  of  its  suburbs,  the  City 
of  London  has  a  park  area  of  over  twenty-two  thousand 
acres,  a  space,  the  extent  of  which  will  be  fully  appreciated 
and  realized  when  compared  with  the  exceedingly  limited 
acreage  of  the  tracts  laid  out  in  the  City  of  New  York,  and 
the  total  area  of  which  does  not  exceed  eleven  hundred 
acres.  In  fact  the  territory  covered  by  the  parks  of  Lon- 
don is  only  four  thousand  acres  less  than  the  whole  Island 
of  Manhattan  and  the  Twenty-third  and  Twenty-fourth 
Wards  combined.  The  area  of  our  city  is  about  twenty-six 
11 


162 


thousand  acres,  and  this  space  is  divided  into  two  nearly 
equal  parts  by  the  Harlem  river. 

A  glance  at  the  map  of  London  shows  at  once  the  im- 
portance which  has  been  given  to  this  conspicuous  and 
interesting  feature  of  the  gigantic  British  capital,  a  capital 
which  the  American  metropolis  is  destined  even  within  the 
lifetime  of  a  portion  of  the  present  generation  to  surpass 
in  population.  Throughout  its  vast  extent  its  surface  is 
literally  studded  with  parks  varying  in  area  from  fifty  to 
seven  hundred  acres,  while  in  the  suburbs  and  within  easy 
access  are  Eichmond  Park  containing  over  two  thousand 
acres,  Windsor  Park  with  nearly  four  thousand,  Hampton 
Court  and  Bushy  Park  having  a  combined  area  of  over  one 
thousand  eight  hundred.  Besides  the  parks  of  over  fifty 
acres  there  are,  as  indicated  on  the  map  of  that  metropolis, 
over  a  hundred  of  lesser  extent,  so  that  London  may  be 
literally  denominated  the  park  city.  Five  minutes'  walk  in 
almost  any  direction  takes  the  visitor  to  one  of  these 
breathing  spots,  while  the  larger  grounds,  such  as  Hyde, 
Regents',  St.  James'  and  Victoria  Parks,  Kew  Gardens,  and 
others  of  nearly  equal  extent,  can  be  reached  by  the  great 
rapid  transit  routes  which  traverse  London  at  all  points. 

The  British  metropolis,  notwithstanding  the  magnificent 
provision  which  had  been  made  for  the  health  and  recrea- 
tion of  its  people,  has  outdone  itself  within  the  past  two 
years  by  the  appropriation  of  an  immense  tract  of  land, 
called  Epping  Forest,  covering  an  extent  of  six  thousand 
acres,  or  about  one-half  the  area  of  Manhattan  Island. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  the  Mayor  of  London  and  the 
different  park  authorities  of  that  municipality,  your  Com- 
mission has  been  placed  in  possession  of  much  interesting 
and  valuable  information  concerning  their  public  grounds. 
Among  the  official  publications  forwarded  in  response  to  a 
request  were  the  voluminous  reports  relating  to  the  pro- 
ceedings for  the  acquisition  of  this  splendid  territory,  and 


Q. 


o 
o 

o 

c 


165 


two  other  tracts  known  as  Burnham  Beeches,  containing 
374  acres,  and  West  Ham  Park,  having  80,  making  an  addi- 
tion of  454  acres. 

Of  the  6,000  acres  in  Epping  Forest,  3,500  belonged  to 
the  corporation  of  London  on  a  public  trust  to  keep  them 
open  forever.  The  balance,  consisting  of  lands  to  which  a 
questionable  title  had  been  acquired  by  long  use  and  occu- 
pation, cost  .£286,159,  or  nearly  $1,500,000.  This,  of  course, 
does  not  represent  the  actual  value  of  the  land,  as  the  pur- 
chase was  effected  by  arbitration,  and  the  title  in  numerous 
cases  was  quieted  by  the  payment  of  one-tenth  of  its  real 
worth.  This  grand  expanse  of  territory,  secured — as  one 
of  the  published  reports  from  which  we  obtain  these  par- 
ticulars states — for  the  population  of  the  east  side,  was 
acquired  after  many  years  of  litigation  against  the  claim- 
ants. These  claimants  had  enclosed  the  lands  "  for  the  ex- 
clusion of  the  commoners,"  and  a  long,  protracted  contest 
resulted,  terminating  in  the  success  of  the  people.  To  the 
persistence  and  resolution  of  the  citizens,  and  to  the  pluck 
and  determination,  as  well  as  the  sagacious  liberality  of 
their  municipal  government,  is  London  to-day  indebted  for 
this  grand  addition  to  its  park  area.  In  Epping  Forest  it 
possesses  a  place  of  recreation  that  is  only  surpassed  in 
extent  by  two  other  public  pleasure-grounds  in  the  world — 
if  we  except  our  own  inchoate  Yellowstone — the  Forest  of 
Fontainebleau,  which  embraces  within  its  bounds  a  grand 
domain  of  42,000  acres,  and  the  Forest  of  St.  Germain, 
which  contains  8,000.  The  largest  park  in  the  world  is, 
however,  about  36  miles  from  Paris,  and  is,  therefore,  not 
so  accessible  to  visitors. 

In  Epping  Forest  are  to  be  found  trees  of  every  species 
indigenous  to  the  island  ;  green  level  stretches,  hills,  rocks, 
streams — in  a  word  every  element  of  sylvan  beauty.  And 
when  to  this  is  added  the  grand  expanse,  covering  a  terri- 
tory over  ten  miles  in  length  by  nearly  six  in  width,  we  are 


166 


not  surprised  at  the  claim  of  one  of  the  officials  when  speak- 
ing of  its  magnificence,  "  I  know  of  no  capital,"  said  he, 
"  (and  I  have  seen  most  of  the  European  capitals),  that  will 
have  a  playground,  if  I  may  use  the  word,  which  will  at  all 
approach  this  in  beauty." 

We  do  not  propose—  indeed  the  space  to  which  a  report 
of  this  character  must  necessarily  be  limited,  forbids  us — 
to  enter  into  details  with  regard  to  the  parks  of  the  British 
metropolis,  and  we  must,  therefore,  content  ourselves  with 
the  following  list  of  those  which  cover  an  extent  of  fifty 
acres  and  over,  although  there  are  many  of  less  area  which 
are  among  the  most  beautiful  and  attractive  : 

Acres. 

Epping  Forest 6,000 

Richmond  Park 2,253 

Windsor  Park 3,800 

Hampton  Court  and  Bushy  Park 684 

New  Park  and  Gardens 300 

Wimbledon  Com'mon 628 

Hyde  Park 400 

St.  James'  Green  and  Regents'  Park. .  450 

Hampstead  Heath 240 

Kensington  Gardens 290 

Alexandra  Park 192 

Greenwich  Park 174 

Finsbury  Park ' .  115 

SoutJiwark  Park 63 

Blackheath 267 

Hackney  DoAvns 50 

Tooting  Beck  Common 144 

Tooting  Graveny  Common     63 

Clapham  Common 220 

Burnham  Beeches 374 

Bostall  Heath 55 

West  Ham  Park 80 

Plumstead  Common 110 

Wormwood  Scrubs 194 

Peckham  Rye 64 

When  to  this  list  are  added  the  parks  of  small  extent, 
the  "  downs,"  "  commons,"  and  "  fields,"  we  shall  have  au 
aggregate  of  about  twenty-two  thousand  acres. 


167 


It  must  not  be  supposed  on  account  of  its  immense  area 
that  any  portion  of  these  grounds  are  mere  waste  lands. 
On  the  contrary,  there  is  no  city  where  land  is  more  valua- 
ble than  in  the  English  capital,  which  is  yearly  pushing  its 
boundary  at  a  rapid  rate  into  the  surrounding  country,  and 
whose  population  of  nearly  four  millions  and  a  half  Avill, 
ere  another  decade  has  elapsed,  at  its  present  rate  of  in- 
crease, have  passed  the  limit  of  five  millions.  All  of  these 
great  breathing  places  are  free  to  the  people  for  use  and 
recreation. 

In  the  report  of  the  London  Board  of  Public  Works  for 
1882 — this  Board  having  under  its  jurisdiction  and  man- 
agement only  a  portion  of  the  public  grounds — we  read 
that  "  the  principal  works  in  Finsbury  Park  during  the 
year  have  been  the  formation  of  a  gymnasium  for  the  free 
use  of  the  frequenters  of  the  park,  the  setting  apart  of  a 
portion  of  ground  for  the  use  of  lawn  tennis  players,  and 
the  provision  of  swings  for  the  special  use  of  children. 
The  swings  have,"  it  is  added,  "  been  placed  in  a  part  of 
the  park  where  the  children  can  enjoy  this  form  of  recrea- 
tion without  being  interfered  with." 

"  In  South wark  Park  the  Board  have  afforded  every  facil- 
ity for  the  playing  of  cricket,"  and  we  are  also  informed 
that  Blackheath  "is  the  largest  open  space  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  Board,"  and  that  "  it  has  for  many  years  past 
been  much  used  for  the  games  of  cricket,  football  and  golf." 
Hampstead  Heath,  it  appears,  is  a  disputed  ground  between 
the  Board  and  the  cricketers,  who  insist  on  playing  in  a 
part  of  the  park  which  is  reserved  for  other  visitors 
"who  find  there  recreation  in  strolling  among  the  furze  and 
fern  which  abound  on  the  West  Heath."  To  the  claim  of 
the  disputants  the  Board  reply  that  "  so  far  from  desiring 
to  limit  the  pleasure  of  cricketers  on  Hampstead  Heath  it 
has  during  the  year  expended  a  considerable  sum  of  money 
in  forming  cricket  grounds  on  the  only  part  really  suitable 


168 


for  the  purpose."  Hackney  Common  is  to  suffer  no  altera- 
tions in  its  natural  features  ;  it  is  only  proposed  generally 
"  to  improve  them  and  render  tliem  more  serviceable  for 
purposes  of  recreation."  It  is  very  evident  that  the  Lon- 
don Board  of  Works  has  a  proper  appreciation  of  the  uses 
and  purposes  for  which  parks  are  designed,  and  that  noth- 
ing will  be  left  undone  on  their  part  to  make  them,  in  every 
way  possible,  available  for  the  enjoyment  of  the  people. 

The  zoological  and  botanical  gardens  of  London  may 
properly  be  classed  with  its  parks,  as  they  are  a  source  of 
not  only  pleasant  enjoyment  but  a  practical  means  of 
instruction  to  the  multitude  of  visitors  by  whom  they  are 
daily  thronged.  Large  sums  of  money  are  spent  on  their 
maintenance,  the  authorities  rightly  judging  that  parsimony 
in  matters  that  afford  legitimate  amusement  to  the  public 
is  false  economy. 

The  Parks  of  Paris— One  Hundred  and  Seventy-two 
Thousand  Acres. 

Conspicuous  among  the  public  works  of  the  French 
capital,  its  architectural  embellishments,  its  wealth  of  art, 
its  wide  boulevards,  its  grand  squares,  places  and  fountains, 
are  its  magnificent  parks,  the  pride  of  its  people  and  the 
glory  of  the  city.  No  expense  has  been  spared  to  make 
them  in  every  way  worthy  of  the  great  metropolis  of  which 
they  form  so  important  a  part,  and  of  which  they  constitute 
one  of  the  chief  attractions  to  visitors  from  all  parts  of  the 
world.  The  parks  of  Paris  liave  long  been  celebrated  for 
the  grand  scale  on  which  they  have  been  planned  and  the 
generous  policy  which  inspires  their  administration  and 
management. 

Unlike  the  great  breathing-places  of  London,  which  are 
distributed  not  only  in  the  suburbs  but  in  the  very  heart 
of  that  metropolis,  the  lungs  of  Paris  with  a  few  exceptions 
liave  been  placed  at  its  environs. 


171 


Of  the  thousand  acres  of  gardens  and  open  spaces 
known  as  squares  and  places,  the  Champs  Elysees,  the 
Place  de  la  Concorde,  the  Place  de  la  Bastille,  the  Place 
Vendome,  Square  Victor,  the  Gardens  of  the  Tuilleries,  the 
Place  de  la  Trocadera,  the  Square  du  Ranelagh,  Pare  Mon- 
ceau,  Pare  de  Montsouris,  Pare  des  Buttes  Chaumont,  the 
Garden  of  the  Luxembourg,  the  Garden  of  the  Palais  Boyal 
are  among  the  most  celebrated,  but  the  greater  number  are 
more  remarkable  for  their  architectural  surroundings,  and, 
as  in  the  particular  instances  of  the  Pare  du  Butte  Chau- 
mont and  the  Pare  Monceau,  for  the  exquisite  taste  and 
artistic  beauty  displayed  in  their  design  and  cultivation. 

The  Pare  des  Buttes  Chaumont  covers  an  area  of  sixty- 
two  acres,  and  affords  a  striking  illustration  of  the  marvels 
which  can  be  wrought  under  the  most  unfavorable  ciixium- 
stances  by  the  art  of  the  landscape  gardener.  The  part  of 
Paris  where  this  beautiful  creation  is  located  had  long  borne 
a  bad  reputation  as  the  resort  of  the  most  depraved  and 
dangerous  characters.  The  land  was  so  sterile  and  the 
locality  so  unhealthy  that  it  was  regarded  as  one  of  the 
plague  spots  of  the  city.  It  had,  in  fact,  become  such  a 
public  nuisance  as  to  force  itself  on  the  attention  of  the 
authorities  and  to  compel  the  application  of  some  remedy. 
The  matter  was  submitted  to  competent  engineers,  and 
under  their  skill  the  plague  spot  was  converted  into  one  of 
the  most  beautiful  of  the  many  attractive  resorts  of  the 
capital.  An  army  of  laborers  was  employed,  the  stagnant 
pools  of  water  and  unsightly  quarry  excavations  gradually 
disappeared,  hundreds  of  thousands  of  cubic  yards  of  new 
earth  were  deposited  upon  the  barren  surface,  a  spacious 
lake  was  formed,  from  wliose  centre  rose  a  rocky  islet 
crowned  with  a  miniature  temple,  and  caves  and  grottoes 
and  statues  and  parterres  completed  a  tout  ensemble  that 
may  well  excite  the  admiration  of  visitors.  This  trans- 
formation of  course  could  only  be  effected  at  great  cost,  but 


172 


the  city  has  been  more  than  repaid  in  the  improvement 
which  has  been  made,  not  only  in  the  health  of  the  locality 
but  in  the  largely  increased  value  of  neighboring  and  city 
property. 

The  Pare  Monceau  is  another  instance  of  the  triumph 
of  landscape  gardening.  Like  that  already  described  it  is 
wholly  indebted  for  its  beauty  to  tlie  resources  of  this  art. 
It  was  literally  destitute  of  everything  that  could  aid  the 
engineer  in  his  work.  The  twenty  acres  of  barren  land 
embraced  within  its  bounds  were  uninviting  to  a  degree, 
and  to  this  doubtless  the  people  of  Paris  are  indebted  for 
one  of  the  prettiest  and  most  attractive  garden  spots  in 
their  city.  It  was  such  an  eye-sore  and  a  nuisance  that  it 
became  necessary  to  get  rid  of  it,  and  it  was  finally  con- 
signed to  the  skill  of  one  of  the  first  engineers  of  the  day. 
Liberal  appropriations  were  placed  at  his  disposal,  and  as 
the  work  advanced  and  the  design  was  revealed  in  a  com- 
bination of  green  lawns,  sparkling  fountains,  glittering 
cascades,  shady  walks  in  the  midst  of  flowery  parterres, 
miniature  caves,  grotto-like  recesses,  and  moss  and  ivy- 
covered  rocks,  the  people  rejoiced  at  a  change  at  once  so 
pleasant  and  so  profitable  ;  gratifying  the  sense  of  beauty 
inherent  in  the  lowest  natures  and  adding  considerably  to 
the  value  of  the  city  property  at  the  same  time.  As  a 
specimen  of  ornamental  gardening  the.  Pare  Monceau  is 
said  to  be  unsurpassed,  and  no  expense  is  spared  to  main- 
tain its  beauty  in  this  respect  unimpaired. 

These  exquisite  garden  tracts,  however  perfect  they 
may  be  as  showing  what  can  be  done  by  the  resources  of 
engineering  skill,  are  literally  dwarfed  into  insignificance 
by  the  two  grand  public  pleasure  grounds,  the  magnificent 
breathing-places  which  are  celebrated  among  the  great 
parks  of  the  world.  Tlie  Bois  de  Boulogne  and  the  Bois 
de  Vinconnes  have  a  combined  area  of  nearly  five  thousand 


173 


acres,  the  latter  being  the  larger  of  the  two  by  about  three 
hundred  acres. 

The  Bois  de  Boulogne  is  the  favorite  resort  of  visiters, 
and  is  traversed  by  broad  boulevards,  beautiful  drives  and 
well-shaded  walks.  Lakes  of  artificial  construction, 
supplied  by  artesian  wells  and  beautified  by  islands,  diver- 
sify the  scenery.  A  French  park  without  a  waterfall  would 
be  incomplete,  and  the  Bois  de  Boulogne  has  several,  with 
the  usual  accessories  of  rocks  thrown  together  in  the  most 
fantastic  forms.  A  cascade,  which  forms  one  of  the  princi- 
pal attractions  in  the  scenery  of  the  Bois,  is  forty  feet  in 
height,  and  as  there  is  always  a  liberal  supply  of  water  the 
effect  is  said  to  be  very  natural.  The  lakes  are  furnished 
with  boats,  and  as  the  islands  are  provided  with  restaurants 
visitors  have  ample  opportunity  for  enjoyment,  while  the 
zoological  gardens,  the  theatre  and  concert  hall,  the  race- 
course and  other  attractions  afford  sufficient  variety  to 
please  every  taste.  The  Bois  de  Boulogne  is,  in  a  word,  one 
of  the  most  picturesque  and  pleasant  in  addition  to  being 
one  of  the  largest  parks  in  the  world.  Iii  the  general  plan 
of  the  grounds  the  object  of  the  designer  was  to  surprise 
and  please  the  visitor  by  the  numberless  variety  of  views, 
and  to  this  end  he  has  combined,  whenever  it  could  be  done 
with  effect,  all  the  attractions  of  the  natural  landscape. 

The  Bois  de  Yincennes  is  inferior  in  point  of  beauty 
and  artificial  embellishment  to  the  Bois  de  Boulogne,  but  it 
is  nevertheless  a  popular  resort,  and  contains  a  spacious 
parade-ground  and  ranges  for  rifle  practice,  which  give  it  a 
particular  interest  to  a  large  portion  of  the  population.  It 
contains  several  lakes,  spanned  by  ornamental  bridges,  and 
connected  by  an  artificial  river  three  miles  in  length.  There 
are  also  islands,  extensive  woods,  pleasant  promenades,  a 
model  farm,  a  race-course,  and  pretty  meadow  tracts  where 
the  children  are  free  to  enjoy  themselves  without  hindrance. 
Altogether   the    Bois    de   Yincennes   is   one   of  the  finest 


174 


resorts  of  Paris,  and  is  indispensable  to  the  inhabitants  of 
the  east  side  of  the  city.  The  Municipal  Government,  it 
should  be  stated  here,  derives  a  considerable  revenue  from 
leases  and  privileges  granted  to  the  keepers  of  restaurants 
and  the  caterers  to  the  various  public  amusements,  which 
are  permitted  not  only  within  these  two  great  parks  but  on 
other  pleasure-grounds  inside  the  city  and  its  suburbs. 

The  Gardens  of  Versailles,  with  the  Grand  and  Little 
Trianon,  are  bewildering  in  their  variety,  and  the  magnifi- 
cent structures,  with  their  superb  decorations,  their  rich, 
costly  furniture,  their  works  of  art  in  painting  and  sculp- 
ture, their  historical  memories,  their  gorgeous  saloons, 
their  numerous  fountains,  lakes,  and  basins,  form  a  com- 
bination that  is  unsurpassed  even  in  Paris  itself. 

The  Park  of  St.  Cloudy  about  five  or  six  miles  west  of 
the  city,  has  an  area  of  over  one  thousand  acres,  and  in  the 
extended  views  which  it  presents  of  Paris  and  the  surround- 
ing country  from  its  highest  points  it  has  a  decided  advan- 
tage over  all  the  public  pleasure-grounds  in  or  near  the 
capital.  Its  plan  is  most  elaborate  and  includes  broad 
avenues,  beautiful  promenades,  fine  tracts  of  meadow,  lakes, 
cascades  and  fountains. 

The  Forest  of  St.  Germain,  withiii  half  an  hour  of  Paris 
by  rail,  although  more  distant  than  those  already  referred 
to,  is  a  favorite  resort  of  all  classes,  and  though  of  great 
extent,  surpassing  even  Epping  Forest  in  area,  having  an, 
expanse  of  eight  thousand  acres,  it  is  intersected  by  fine 
walks  and  drives,  and  is  enclosed  by  a  substantial  stone  wall. 
This  grand  domain  is  free  throughout  its  full  extent  to  the 
great  throngs  which  on  certain  fete  days  enjoy  themselves 
among  its  splendid  groves. 

Exceeding  all  the  great  parks,  not  only  of  Paris  but  of 
the  world,  the  Forest  of  Fontainebleau  stands  alone  in  the 
vast  extent  of  its  territory.  It  has  an  area  of  forty-two 
thousand  acres,  and  is  sixty-three   miles  in  circumference. 


177 


Every  variety  of  scenery  is  to  be  found  within  its  limits  ; 
valleys,  gorges,  caverns,  lakes,  brooks,  wide-spreading  mead- 
ows, grand  old  woods,  with  an  endless  variety  of  trees  ;  hills 
that  almost  rise  to  the  dignity  of  mountains,  from  which 
glimpses  even  of  the  distant  capital  can  be  seen  in  clear 
weather.  Fontainebleau  can  be  reached  in  about  an  hour 
and  a  quarter  from  the  city,  and  is  the  most  distant  of  the 
public  grounds,  which  may  properly  be  claimed  as  a  part 
of  the  park  system  of  the  French  capital.  A  detailed 
description  of  the  many  attractions,  prominent  among 
which  are  the  palace  and  the  surrounding  gardens,  laid  out 
in  the  most  elaborate  style,  would  require  a  volume  to  do 
justice  to  the  subject. 

The  following  list  comprises  only  the  principal  public 
grounds  in  Paris,  or  within  easy  approach  by  water  or 
by  rail  : 

Acres.     «r 

The  Forest  of  Fontainebleau 42,000 

St.  Germain 8,000 

The  Bois  de  Boulogne 2,200 

Vincennes   2,500 

Park  of  St.  Cloud 1,000 

*'       Buttes  Chaumont ,. .  62 

Monceau 22 

"       Montsouris 40 

Garden  of  the  Tuilleries 50 

"             Luxembourg 40 

"      Plants 22 


These  are  but  a  few  of  the  long  list  of  parks,  forests, 
gardens,  etc.,  which  adorn  the  city  of  Paris  and  its  suburbs, 
and  which  it  is  estimated  contain  in  the  aggregate  no  less 
than  172,000  acres.  Of  course,  of  this  vast  territory  the 
smaller  portion  only  is  in  its  immediate  neighborhood,  but 
to  the  hundreds  of  thousands  of  New  Yorkers  who  often 
12 


178 


extend  their  daily  summer  trips  and  excursions  to  a  dis- 
tance of  thirty,  forty  and  fifty  miles  by  boat  and  by  rail- 
road, even  the  Forest  of  Fontainebleau  will  not  appear  to 
be  too  distant  for  the  health  and  pleasure-seeking  Paris- 
ians, or  the  temporary  sojourners  in  their  city.  The 
suburbs  of  Paris  seem  to  be  at  several  points  continuous 
parks,  and  the  majestic  boulevards  which  connect  its  gar- 
dens and  pleasure-grounds  form,  it  may  be  said  with  truth, 
the  crowning  glory  of  the  whole.  And  yet  Paris,  famed  for 
the  splendid  provision  which  it  has  made  for  its  people,  is, 
in  the  topography  of  its  environs  and  its  natural  advan- 
tages, far  inferior  to  our  own  metropolis.  The  Twenty- 
third  and  Twenty-fourth  Wards  and  the  adjacent  sections 
of  Westchester  possess  natural  beauties  which  neither 
London  nor  Paris  nor  any  city  in  the  world  can  rival. 
Nature  has  done  for  us  what  has  only  been  accomplished 
by  toth  those  cities  at  an  immense  expenditure  of  money, 
time  and  labor,  and  under  the  direction  of  the  most  skillful 
and  experienced  engineers.  All  that  is  necessary  to  fit  our 
parks  for  public  use  is  a  comparatively  trifling  expenditure, 
for  which  there  will  in  time  be  a  hundred-fold  return  to 
the  municipal  treasury. 

The  Parks  of  Vienna. 

The  Austrian  capital  is  justly  distinguished  for  the  pic- 
turesque beauty  of  its  surroundings,  and  for  the  many  beau- 
tiful parks  not  only  within  its  boundaries  but  at  varying 
distances  of  from  two  to  fifteen  miles.  Its  great  park,  the 
Prater,  is  almost  as  well-known  as  Vienna  itself,  and  is,  in 
the  literal  meaning  of  the  term,  the  i:)eople's  pleasure- 
ground,  over  the  surface  of  which,  whether  on  the  green 
sward  or  through  its  woods  and  groves,  they  are  free  to 
roam  as  they  please.  Its  fifteen  hundred  acres  are  divided 
into  grand  drives,  that  in  favorable  weather  are  crowded 
with  all  kinds  of  vehicles  and   all  classes   of  people,    ap- 


179 


parentlj  no  distinction  being  made  on  account  of  rank  or 
position ;  and  broad  meadoY\^s  and  shady  groves  which  are 
thronged  with  visitors,  who  find  both  pleasure  and  refresh- 
ment in  the  numerous  restaurants,  cafes,  theatres,  circuses, 
bowling-alleys,  shooting  galleries,  gymnasiums,  swings,  etc., 
etc.  While  ample  space  is  allowed  for  the  recreation  of  the 
people,  which  is  the  chief  object  of  this  old  and  favorite  re- 
sort, little  attention  is  given  to  the  mere  embellishment  of  the 
park.  The  land  itself  is  almost  a  dead  level,  and  is  devoid  of 
all  those  attractive  features  which  are  to  be  found  in  many  of 
the  great  parks  of  Europe.  The  Viennese,  however,  look 
upon  it  as  the  playground  of  all  classes,  and  any  attempt  to 
change  its  character  in  this  particular  by  landscape  garden- 
ing, or  any  other  ornamentation  that  would  interfere  with 
their  full  enjoyment,  Avould  never  be  tolerated.  It  was  in 
the  Prater  that  the  International  Exposition  was  held  in 
1873,  and  the  buildings  still  remain,  forming  a  striking  and 
pleasing  attraction  to  visitors. 

Besides  the  Prater,  there  is  the  Yolksgarten  and  the 
Hofgarten,  which  are  handsomely  cultivated  tracts  of  about 
twenty  acres  that  embellish  a  portion  of  the  Glacis,  a  broad 
open  space  that  formed  a  portion  of  the  defenses  of  the 
old  city,  but  which  has  been  converted  into  fine  promen- 
ades and  laid  out  in  regular  plots.  Like  the  Prater,  it  is  a 
popular  resort,  provided  with  places  of  entertainment  for 
the  people.  The  Glacis  nearly  environs  the  ancient  city 
and  has  an  area  of  about  five  hundred  acres.  In  addition 
to  these  public  places,  there  are  the  Augarten,  Brigittenau, 
the  Stadt  Park,  the  Botanical  Gardens,  the  Belvedere 
Gardens,  and  smaller  parks  and  squares,  which,  with  those 
already  named,  make  a  total  area  of  public  grounds  in  the 
city  and  its  immediate  vicinity  of  about  three  thousand 
acres. 

Independent  of  these  parks,  the  Viennese  are  within 
easy  reach  of  some  of  the  most  beautiful  pleasure-grounds 


IbO 


in  the  world.  The  citj  is  situated  on  a  plain,  overlooked 
by  lofty  hills,  which  form  a  portion  of  the  range  of  the 
Tyrolean  Alps.  Among  the  valleys  and  on  the  slopes  of 
these  mountains  are  scenes  of  rare  beauty.  Every  village 
within  a  radius  of  ten  miles  may  be  said  to  be  the  centre 
of  a  park,  and  thither  the  public  flock  on  Sundays  and 
holidays  to  enjoy  themselves  without  let  or  molestation. 
Baden  is  set  in  the  midst  of  parks,  and  there  is  a  long  list 
of  others,  among  which,  Laxenberg,  Schonbrunn,  and  the 
park  of  Prince  Schwartzenberg,  are  prominent,  and  all  of 
which  are  open  to  the  people.  The  extent  of  the  grounds 
inside  and  outside  of  the  city  cannot  be  less  than  eight 
thousand  acres,  or  estimating  the  present  population  of 
Vienna  at  800,000,  in  the  ratio  of  one  acre  to  every  hundred 
inhabitants. 

The  Parks  of  Berlin. 

While  the  Prussian  capital  is  inferior  in  park  area  as 
compared  with  London  and  Paris,  her  municipal  author- 
ities and  the  Imperial  Government  have  not  been  unmind- 
ful of  the  claims  of  the  people  in  the  matter  of  public 
pleasure-grounds.  Of  parks  and  squares  Berlin  has  about 
sixty,  differing  in  area  from  half  an  acre  to  over  five  hun- 
dred. The  Thiergarten,  which  is  the  great  pleasure  resort 
of  the  people,  has  an  area  of  about  six  hundred  and  fifty 
acres,  including  the  Zoological  Garden  and  the  space 
inclosed  as  a  hippodrome,  which  is  one  of  the  principal 
attractions  to  visitors.  It  is  situated  on  the  river  Spree, 
and  its  chief  features  of  interest  are  its  groves  of  stately 
and  venerable  trees,  its  lakes  and  promenades. 

The  squares  are  tastefully  arranged  in  various  styles  of 
gardening,  and  many  of  them  are  handsomely  embellished 
with  statuary  and  fountains.  Berlin,  however,  is  not 
dependent  upon  these  for  tlie  recreation  of  her  people,  for 
within  half  aii  hour  by  rail  are  the  great  parks  in  the  sub- 


v^ 


183 


urbs  of  Potsdam,  with  tlieir  splendid  lakes,  constituting  a 
larger  water  surface  probably  tliSjU  is  to  be  found  in  any 
inland  parks  in  the  world.  The  form  of  these  lakes  and 
the  sweep  of  the  shores,  now  withdrawing  in  irregular 
curves,  now  jutting  forward  in  bold,  sharp  promontories, 
heavily  timbered  to  the  water's  edge,  bestow  an  additional 
element  of  picturesque  beauty  upon  the  landscape.  The 
area  of  these  parks  is  about  three  thousand  acres,  pretty 
equally  divided  between  land  and  water,  and  if  to  these  we 
add  the  Konig's  Garten,  we  have  a  magnificent  pleasure- 
ground  covering  an  extent  of  four  thousand  acres. 

In  addition  to  these  there  are  the  Frederick's  Park, 
Humboldt  Park,  the  Southeast  Park,  and  the  Little  Thier- 
garten,  which  have  a  combined  area  of  six  hundred  and 
fifty  acres.  The  public  pleasure-grounds  of  Berlin,  as  may 
be  judged  from  these  figures,  have  been  planned  upon  a 
liberal  scale.  They  aggregate  at  least  five  thousand  acres, 
which  allows  one  acre  to  every  two  hundred  and  thirty-five 
persons. 

The  Parks  of  Dublin. 

The  Irish  capital,  with  a  population  of  about  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand,  has  in  its  great  recreation-ground, 
called  Phcjenix  Pai'k,  a  tract  of  1,753  acres,  and  with  smaller 
tracts  and  squares  distributed  throughout  the  city,  an  aggre- 
gate park  area  of  nearly  1,900  acres.  This  also  includes 
several  open  spaces  which  it  is  proposed  to  devote  to  public 
use,  and  for  the  possession  of  which,  we  are  informed  from 
official  sources,  the  necessary  steps  are  at  present  being 
taken.  The  principal  square,  known  as  St.  Stephen's 
Green,  embracing  about  twenty-three  acres,  is  highly  cul- 
tivated and  one  of  the  most  popular  resorts  in  the  city.  A 
public-spirited  citizen,  Sir  Arthur  Guinness,  the  brewer, 
now  Lord  Ardilaun,  expended  one  hundred  and  twenty 
thousand  dollars  in  its  embellishment,  and  it  is  now  said 


184 


to  be  one  of  the  most  beautiful  parks  of  its  size  in  Europe. 
The  Phoenix  Park,  on  the  contrary,  depends  almost  wholly 
on  its  natural  attractions,  and  these  justly  entitle  it  to  a 
place  among  the  first  not  only  of  Great  Britain  but 
of  the  Continent.  It  is  situated  on  the  banks  of  the 
Kiver  Liffey,  a  picturesque  stream  which  flows  directly 
through  the  city.  The  surface  is  undulating,  and  a  con- 
siderable portion  is  covered  with  fine  old  woods  that  alter- 
nate with  broad  stretches  of  emerald  lawns  and  dappled 
meadows,  over  which  hundreds  of  tame  deer  roam  at  will. 
A  botanical  and  a  zoological  garden  add  to  the  pleasure  of 
the  visitors,  and  both  are  well  maintained. 

Parks  of  Amsterdam. 

Although  the  commercial  metropolis  of  the  United  States 
has  been  known  for  more  than  a  century  by  its  present  name, 
its  ancient  title  of  New  Amsterdam  has  not  been  forgotten, 
and  your  Commission,  in  including  Old  Amsterdam  among 
the  number  of  the  park  cities  of  Europe,  were  actuated  by 
a  desire  to  revive  the  memories  of  the  past  and  the  early 
history  and  origin  of  the  third  greatest  city  of  the  world. 
In  reply  to  their  inquiries  regarding  the  park  area  of 
Amsterdam,  they  were  courteously  furnished  with  the 
required  information  and  an  excellent  map  of  the  famous 
old  Dutch  capital.  From  the  letter  of  Mayor  Tienhoven 
and  accompanying  documents,  they  learn  that  the  space 
laid  out  in  parks  and  private  grounds  open  to  the  people 
is  about  eight  hundred  acres,  among  which  the  principal, 
called  Vondel  Park,  after  the  nation's  great  poet,  Joast 
VanderYondel,  has  an  area  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres. 
This  park  occupies  a  conspicuous  position  on  the  map, 
and  is  particularly  noticeable  on  account  of  its  resemblance 
in  form  and  outline  to  our  own  Central.  Both  are  of 
oblong  shape,  and  the  position  of  the  Lakes  and  the  general 
plan  have  many  points  of  similarity.     The  level  nature  of 


185 


the  country  in  which  Yondel  Park  is  located  deprives  it,  of 
■course,  of  that  diyersitr  of  surface  by  which  its  Xew  York 
counterpart  is  distinguished.  Ainonpj  the  most  noticeable 
of  the  works  of  art  which  embellish  Yondel  Park  is  a  fine 
loronze  statue  of  the  poet  in  whose  honor  it  has  been 
named.  Besides  the  principal  pleasure-ground,  there  are 
twenty-three  squares  and  parks  under  the  administration 
of  the  city,  and  a  still  larger  number  which  are  free  to  the 
people.  The  map  of  Amsterdam  shows  many  a  green  spot 
along  the  lines  of  its  numerous  canals,  on  the  banks  of 
which,  in  the  language  of  Mayor  Tienhoven,  "fine  shade 
trees,  mostly  elms,  are  planted,  affording  a  grateful  and 
agreeable  shade  to  the  pedestrian." 

Taking  into  account  the  difference  of  the  population, 
v\'e  find  that  Amsterdam  has  been  generous  towards  its 
people  in  the  matter  of  parks  compared  with  the  parsimony 
of  its  whilom  trans-Atlantic  namesake.  And  this  generosity 
is  the  more  striking,  as  its  land  has  been  wrested  from  the 
ocean  inch  by  inch,  as  it  were,  and  is  held  by  each  suc- 
ceeding generation  under  a  tenure  of  continual  struggle 
with  the  same  element,  involving  incessant  watchfulness, 
unremitting  labor  and  constant  outlay. 

The  Parks  of  Brussels. 

From  the  official  documents  and  excellent  map  of  the 
Belgian  capital  forwarded  by  its  municipal  authorities  to 
your  Commission,  it  appears  that  the  area  devoted  to  pub- 
lic grounds  in  that  city  and  suburbs  is  at  least  eight  hun- 
<lred  acres,  exclusive  of  many  other  pleasure-grounds  which 
do  not  appear  in  the  list.  The  principal  is  the  Bois  de 
Oambre,  containing  over  three  hundred  acres  ;  the  Pare  de 
Bruxelles  thirty,  the  Pare  Leopold  twenty-five,  and  at  least 
forty  others  varying  in  extent  from  one  to  ten  and  twelve 
acres.     Many  of  these  parks  are  arranged  as  gardens,  and 


186 


adorned  with  fountains,  statues,  and  other  works  of  art,  and 
are  approaclied  by  boulevards  which  compare  favorably 
even  with  those  of  Paris.  The  principal  avenues  are  thirty 
feet  wider  than  the  boulevards  of  our  own  city.  The  Bois 
de  Cambre  is  to  Brussels  what  the  Bois  de  Boulogne  is  to 
Paris,  and  the  art  of  the  landscape  gardener  has  added 
largely  to  its  natural  advantages. 

Brussels,  like  Paris,  Vienna,  and  Berlin,  has  in  its- 
suburbs  many  pleasant  resorts  to  which  the  public  have 
access,  but  in  the  field  of  Waterloo,  less  than  half  an  hour 
distant  by  rail,  it  has  a  park,  if  it  can  be  so  designated, 
which  has  a  particular  attraction  and  interest  for  every 
visitor.  As  a  place  of  public  resort  it  has  some  claim  to  be 
classed  among  the  public  grounds  of  Brussels,  although  not 
properly  included  in  its  park  area,  which  may  be  fairly 
estimated  at  a  thousand  acres,  or  one  acre  to  every  three 
hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants. 


i8y 


Parks  of  Japan 


Pleasure  Grounds  of  the  City  of  Tokio. 

The  high  position  which  has  been  conceded  to  the  peo- 
ple of  Japan  in  the  workl  of  art  has  been  fully  maintained 
in  various  international  exhibitions,  and  particularly  in 
the  grand  display  of  the  world's  industry  with  which  the 
centennary  of  our  Independence  was  celebrated  over  seven 
years  ago.  The  products  of  the  skill  and  genius  of  Japan- 
ese artists  and  artizans  have  become  important  items  in  the 
business  accounts  of  our  merchants  and  dealers,  and  the 
increase  of  our  trade  and  commerce  with  Japan  has  brought 
us  into  intimate  and  friendly  relations  with  the  people 
of  that  interesting  country,  and  given  us  an  insight  into 
their  domestic  and  social  life  which  was  before  almost 
impossible. 

Your  Commission,  aware  that  not  only  in  floriculture  but 
in  the  matter  of  public  parks  they  occupy  an  advanced 
position,  felt  that  a  reference  to  the  pleasure-grounds  of 
the  city  of  Tokio,  the  capital  of  the  Empire,  would  be 
interesting  and  acceptable  to  all  wdio  are  concerned  in  the 
movement  for  more  parks.  For  the  information  which  they 
have  obtained  regarding  the  public  parks  of  Tokio  they  are 
indebted  to  the  courtesy  of  the  Japanese  Consul. 

The  City  of  Tokio  is  celebrated  not  only  for  the  num- 
ber but  for  the  extent  and  beauty  of  its  parks,  which  are 
among  the  most  cherished  objects  of  popular  regard  and 
affection.  There  is,  probably,  no  people  in  the  world 
among  whom  the  love  of  flowers  is  more  strongly  marked, 
or  the  art  of  landscape  gardening  brought  to  a  higher  state 


190 


of  perfection.  Their  marvelous  skill  in  the  dwarfing  of 
plants,  by  which  the  pine  and  other  trees  are  reduced  to 
lilliputian  dimensions,  is  justly  celebrated,  and  their  artis- 
tic taste  is  shown  in  the  production  of  artificial  landscapes 
covering  a  space  of  fifty  or  sixty  square  feet,  with  hills, 
lakes,  valleys  and  rivers  faithfully  represented,  and  with 
woods  of  living  vegetation,  but  dwarfed  in  proportion  to 
the  other  features  of  the  scene. 

On  the  ten  national  holidays,  and  the  additional  local 
festivals  the  people  of  Tokio,  without  distinction  of  class, 
seek  recreation  in  the  many  playgrounds  of  the  capital,  tak- 
ing 2:>articular  delight  in  the  display  of  chrysanthemums, 
the  Imperial  flower  of  Japan,  the  poenies,  the  lotus,  and  par- 
ticularly the  cherry  blossom,  which  is  one  of  their  favorite 
flowers.  On  such  occasions  the  workshops  are  deserted, 
and  the  people,  without  distinction  of  age  or  sex,  turn  out 
en  masse  to  witness  the  grand  floral  display  prepared  for 
them  by  the  gardeners  in  charge  of  the  public  grounds. 
Here  they  revel  in  healthful  recreation  and  enjoyment. 
The  feast  of  the  anniversary  of  the  coronation  of  their  first 
Emperor,  who  reigned  twenty-six  centuries  ago,  and  which 
occurs  on  the  11th  of  February,  is  kept  up  with  great 
enthusiasm. 

Among  the  parks  of  Tokio,  Wooyeno  is  distinguished, 
not  only  by  its  size  but  by  the  picturesque  variety  of  its 
views,  and  particularly  by  its  magnificent  woods,  composed 
mainly  of  the  cherry  tree  of  which  there  are  many  varie- 
ties, some  of  which  are  three  or  four  centuries  old,  and 
which  constitute  a  distinguishing  feature  in  nearly  all  the 
Japanese  public  grounds.  With  an  area  of  about  twenty- 
five  hundred  acres,  equal  in  extent  to  the  Bois  de  Bou- 
logne and  Windsor  Forest,  it  is  laid  out  with  admirable 
discrimination  in  the  adajDtation  of  its  topographical 
features  to  the  general  design.  The  Lake  Shinobashu, 
which  is  situated  on  one  side   of   tlie    ]iavk,    is  its    chief 


191 


attraction,  and  is  surrounded  by  a  broad  drive  or  boulevard 
about  four  hundred  feet  wide  and  four  miles  long.  The  lake 
itself  is  set  in  a  framework  of  trees  of  many  varieties, 
with  occasional  open  spaces  bright  with  flowering  shrubs. 
This  park  is  also  distinguished  as  possessing  the  great 
temple  which  was  erected  over  three  centuries  ago  and 
dedicated  to  Tokugawa  Eyeyasu,  a  Shogun  (commander- 
in-chief  of  the  army  in  feudal  times)  who  was  noted  for  his 
administrative  abilities  and  his  prowess  in  war.  From  the 
summits  of  the  hills  the  great  city  of  Tokio  is  seen  spread 
out  like  a  map,  with  the  Sea  of  Japan  and  its  beautiful 
islands  visible  in  the  distance.  When  General  and  Mrs. 
Grant  visited  Japan  they  were,  as  a  mark  of  special  honor, 
requested  each  to  plant  a  tree  in  Tokio's  principal  2^ark. 

In  1881  the  population  of  the  Japanese  capital  was 
886,000,  but  it  is  to-day  estimated  at  one  million,  and  as 
Wooyeno  is  about  three  miles  from  the  centre  of  the  city 
it  is  easily  accessible  to  a  large  number  of  its  inhabitants. 
It  is  open  to  the  public  at  all  times,  and  a  competent  force 
of  police  is  in  charge  to  maintain  peace  and  order. 

Shiba,  the  second  largest  park  of  Tokio,  is  five  miles 
from  Wooyeno,  and  is  reached  by  horse-cars,  the  fare  being 
six  cents.  It  has  an  area  of  about  twelve  hundred  acres, 
and  is  noted  no  less  for  its  celebrated  temple  of  Zojogee 
than  for  the  Koyokan,  or  the  Ked  Maple  Palace,  a 
structure  of  great  size  and  built  in  the  highest  style  of 
Japanese  architecture,  in  which  distinguished  strangers 
are  sumptuously  entertained  by  the  higher  classes.  There 
are  many  very  beautiful  views  in  this  park,  and  several 
natural  and  artificial  lakes  in  which  the  water  lily,  a 
special  favorite  with  the  Japanese,  is  cultivated  with  much 
care,  not  only  for  its  floral  beauty  but  for  its  edible 
root  which  is  highly  prized.  Here,  and  in  the  lakes  of 
other  parks,  but  more  particularly  in  Wooyeno,  the  gar- 
deners produce  not  only  the  yellow  but  that  rare  plant  the 


192 


red  water  lilj,  which  is  noted  as  well  for  its  exquisite 
perfume  as  for  its  peculiar  color.  The  blossoms  of  some 
of  these  water  lilies  are  ten  inches  in  diameter. 

On  festivals  and  special  occasions  the  Ked  Maple  Palace 
is  brilliantly  illuminated  with  parti-colored  lanterns  of  all 
sizes  and  almost  every  conceivable  design,  some  fashioned 
in  the  most  grotesque  shapes.  The  lakes  swarm  with  the 
gold  and  silver  carp,  of  which  many  attain  a  length  of 
three  feet  and  a  weight  of  from  twelve  to  fifteen  pounds. 
Large  quantities  of  these  fish  become  the  prey  of  the  wild 
duck  which  frequent  the  lakes  in  immense  flocks,  and 
which  feed  upon  them  with  impunity,  as  the  shooting  of 
the  birds  is  prohibited  by  law.  Of  this  particular  fish  the 
finest  specimens  are  found  in  Wooyeno  Park.  The  kingio 
is  another  species  of  gold  fish,  for  the  cultivation  of  which 
the  Japanese  have  long  been  distinguished,  and  even  the 
form  of  which  they  have  succeeded  in  materially  changing 
by  their  skill  in  the  art  of  pisciculture. 

Mookojima,  is  the  third  in  extent  of  the  public  grounds 
of  Tokio,  being  a  little  more  than  three  miles  in  length  by 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  width,  and  containing  about  five 
hundred  and  fifty  acres.  The  river  Sumida,  on  which  the 
city  is  situated,  forms  a  part  of  its  boundary  and  affords 
the  means  of  transportation  to  the  thousands  who  visit  the 
park.  Steamboats  ply  to  and  fro  on  special  occasions 
during  the  spring  and  summer,  carrying  thousands  of  visit- 
ors for  a  moderate  fare  to  the  park  of  the  great  river,  the 
banks  of  which  are  thickly  planted  with  the  favorite  cherry 
tree.  Those  who  prefer  the  more  primitive  method  of 
conveyance  can  hire  the  Japanese  pleasure-boat,  with  its 
deck  house  and  propelled  by  oars,  at  the  low  rate  of  a  dol- 
lar and  a  half  a  day.  This  covers  the  expense  of  such 
music  as  may  be  desired  and  the  wages  of  the  attendants, 
who  not  only  row,  but  perform  other  necessary  work.  In 
the  spring  when  the  cherry  trees  are  in  full  bloom  por- 


13 


195 


tions  of  the  park  are  literally  packed  with  admiring  spec- 
tators, for  whom  the  cherry  blossom  has  a  charm  amounting 
almost  to  fascination.  These  trees  are  not  only  cultivated 
with  the  greatest  care,  but  by  the  skill  of  the  gardeners 
they  are  so  trained  and  fashioned  during  their  growth  as 
to  form  long  lines  of  arches  over  the  roads  and  paths,  and 
from  these  arches  clusters  of  blossoms  hang  in  great  pro- 
fusion. 

In  this  park  there  are  many  small  but  beautiful  lakes,  in 
which  anglers  are  permitted  to  fish  on  payment  of  a  nominal 
sum — twenty-five  cents  for  a  whole  day's  piscatorial  amuse- 
ment. The  tea-houses  and  restaurants  are  light  and  grace- 
ful structures,  and  add  largely  to  the  picturesque  effect  of 
the  grounds.  The  visitors  are  not  only  allowed  to  fish  in 
the  lakes  but  to  swim  in  the  river,  and  the  park  is  open 
over  its  whole  surface  to  the  people  who  find  a  pleasant 
shade  from  the  sun  under  the  dense  foliage  of  the  thickly 
planted  woods.  There  is,  indeed,  only  one  of  the  principal 
parks  of  Tokio  in  which  the  people  are  restricted  to  the 
roads  and  walks — Wooyeno — and  here  the  notice  so  familiar 
to  the  habitues  of  our  Central  is  displayed  in  Japanese 
characters  warning  the  people  not  to  injure  the  vines, 
shrubs  and  branches,  and  to  keep  off  the  grass. 

Asakusa,  a  park  of  five  hundred  acres,  is  situated  a  mile 
from  "Wooyeno,  and  is  called  after  the  Buddhist  temple 
which  forms  a  conspicuous  feature  among  its  many  attrac- 
tions. It  possesses  a  theatre,  a  circus,  many  tea-houses, 
besides  archery  grounds  and  amusements  for  children. 
Its  woods  of  pine  and  cedar  occupy  a  large  part  of  its  sur- 
face, and  beneath  their  luxuriant  foliage  the  visitors  find  a 
grateful  shade  from  the  fervid  summer  sun. 

Fukagawa,  the  sea-side  park,  is  situated  on  an  island  of 
the  same  name  in  Yeddo  Bay,  which  is  connected  directly 
with  the  city  by  an  admirably  constructed  bridge  seven 
hundred  and  twenty  feet  long.     This  park  is  one  of  the 


196 


most  attractive  of  the  many  resorts  in  and  near  the  city, 
and  is  laid  out  with  excellent  taste  as  a  public  garden.  It 
contains  four  hundred  acres. 

Asukayama,  which  is  about  seven  and  a  half  miles  from 
the  city,  is  situated  between  two  lofty  hills,  the  slopes  of 
which  are  in  parts  covered  with  the  indispensable  cherry 
tree.  It  is  celebrated  for  its  extensive  views,  and  particu- 
larly for  the  romantic  beauty  of  the  Takino,  the  course  of 
which  is  broken  by  numerous  cascades  as  it  flows  on 
through  the  park  to  join  the  waters  of  the  Sumida.  The 
Asukayama  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the 
parks  of  the  Japanese  capital,  and  although  among  the  most 
distant,  is  visited  not  only  during  festivals  but  at  other 
times  by  large  numbers  of  pleasure-seekers.  This  park  has 
an  area  of  about  three  hundred  acres,  and  is  particularly 
noted  for  its  high  grass,  so  high  in  fact  that  it  forms  quite 
an  agreeable  shade,  and  is  much  frequented  by  the  visitors, 
particularly  by  the  youth  of  the  city. 

Besides  the  grounds  around  the  Imperial  Palace,  the 
residence  of  the  Mikado,  there  are  four  magnificent  gar- 
dens situated  at  different  points,  which  have  an  aggregate 
area  of  over  two  thousand  acres,  and  which  are  thrown 
open  to  the  people  during  the  ten  national  holidays. 
There  are  in  addition  to  these  and  the  public  parks,  one 
hundred  and  forty  local  parks  or  squares,  varying  in  area 
from  one  to  five  or  six  acres.  Many  of  these  are  arranged 
as  gardens  and  are  pleasant  features  in  the  general  plan  of 
the  city.  Indeed,  every  house,  except  the  dwellings  of  the 
very  poor,  has  a  garden  in  front  and  a  plot  in  the  rear  for 
the  cultivation  of  kitchen  vegetables. 

The  total  area  of  the  large  public  grounds  of  Tokio  is 
estimated,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  following  table,  at 
nearly  0,000  acres,  or  one  acre  to  every  107  inhabitants  : 


197 

Acres. 

Woojeno 2,200 

Shiba 1,200 

Mookojima 550 

Asakusa 500 

Fukagawa 400 

Asukayama 300 

5,150 

If  to  these  are  added  tlie  smaller  parks,  squares  and 
gardens,  the  area  will  be  increased  to  nearly  6,000  acres. 
Tokio  itself  has  perhaps  a  larger  area  than  any  other  city 
in  the  world  in  proportion  to  its  population,  having  a  cir- 
cumference of  ninety  miles.  In  AVooyeno  there  are  well 
arranged  museums  of  natural  history,  in  which  there  are 
extensive  collections  of  the  fauna  of  the  Japanese  Islands. 
,  Many  of  the  Chisai-Koyen,  as  the  small  parks  are 
called  to  distinguish  them  from  from  the  Okii  Koyen  or 
great  pleasure  grounds,  are  exquisitely  laid  out  in  the  style 
of  Japanese  gardening. 

Map  of  Wooyeno  Park. 

Note. — Since  the  account  of  the  parks  of  Tokio  was 
written  the  Commission  received  from  the  Governor  of 
that  city  an  elaborate  map  of  Wooyeno  Park,  a  copy  of 
which  is  herewith  given.  No  change  has  been  made  from 
the  original,  the  Japanese  characters  being  reproduced  as 
they  are  printed  thereon,  though  necessarily  on  a  much 
reduced  scale.  The  lake  (Shinobashu)  is  about  a  mile  and 
a  half  long  and  nearly  a  mile  wide. 


lys 


Conclusions. 


Area  of  Lands  Recommended  for  Parks  and 
Parkways. 

From  tlie  information  obtained  by  your  Commission, 
after  diligent  inquiry  and  minute  investigation,  they  have 
arrived  at  the  following  conclusions,  which  they  believe  are 
fully  warranted  and  sustained  by  the  facts  and  results  pre- 
sented in  their  report : 

1.  That  the  sanitary  welfare  of  our  metropolis  and  the 
physical  recreation  and  development  of  its  inhabitants  de- 
mand an  increase  of  its  park  area,  commensurate  not  only 
with  its  present  wants  but  with  its  future  and  rapidly 
increasing  necessities. 

2.  That  while  over  oi^e  million  of  souls  have  been  added 
to  our  population  since  1853,  when  Central  Park  was 
created,  the  area  of  our  public  grounds  is  to-day  less  than 
one-half  what  it  was  then,  as  compared  with  the  number  of 
its  inhabitants. 

3.  That  while  the  grounds  selected  for  the  Central 
Park  were  rough  and  unsightly,  and  only  brought  into 
condition  by  a  vast  outlay,  those  here  suggested  to  your 
Honorable  Bodies  (both  inland  and  on  the  Sound,)  are 
rarely  endowed  by  nature  for  the  purpose  contemplated, 
and  would  attract  admiring  visitors  from  all  parts  of 
Christendom,  while  difiusing  the  blessings  of  health  and 
culture  among  our  own  citizens. 

4.  Tliat  Central  Park  has  paid  for  itself  and  netted  a 
handsome    profit    on   its   purchase,   besides   the    valuable 


I 


201 


property  whicli  the  city  possesses  in  the  land,  and  which 
is  to-day  estimated  as  worth  two  hundred  millions  of 
dollars. 

5.  That  while  New  York  is  the  third  largest  city  in  the 
civilized  world  in  population,  it  is,  in  the  matter  of  park 
area,  far  behind  not  only  the  great  capitals  of  Europe  but 
the  principal  cities  of  the  United  States. 

6.  That  the  cause  which  has  made  our  metropolis  lag 
so  far  behind  the  cities  abroad  and  at  home,  has  been,  not 
the  lack  of  appreciation  and  enterprise  in  her  people,  but 
the  peculiar  conformation  and  narrow  limit  of  its  domain, 
which,  till  it  overleaped  its  confining  bounds,  gave  no  room 
for  generous  recreation  grounds. 

7.  That  the  financial  statistics  not  only  of  New  York  but 
of  Boston,  Chicago,  Buffalo  and  other  cities  prove  that 
money  expended  in  parks,  by  enhancing  the  value  of  adja- 
cent property,  more  than  compensates  for  the  outlay,  and 
leaves  a  balance  to  the  public  treasury. 

8.  That  the  burden  of  taxation  is  thus  equalized  by  the 
improvement  of  property  adjoining  public  parks  and  the 
enhancement  of  its  taxable  value. 

9.  That  the  increased  tax  income  from  enhanced  property 
will  not  only  meet  the  interest  on  the  bonds,  but,  as  shown 
by  the  experience  of  Central  Park,  will  afford  a  surplus 
over  and  above  the  expense  of  maintenance,  etc.,  sufficient 
in  a  few  years  to  pay  the  principal,  leaving  in  possession  of 
the  city  property  which  will,  within  the  present  generation, 
increase  more  than  ten-fold  in  value. 

10.  That  the  lands  hereiti  recommended  for  public 
parks  and  parkways — about  3,800  acres — could  probably 
be  obtained  at  an  average  cost  of  not  more  than  $2,000 
per  acre,  thus  aggregating  between  seven  and  eight  mil- 
lions of  dollars,  and  that  the  adjacent  grounds,  the  moment 


202 


an  act  sliould  be  passed  dedicating  the  sites  selected  to 
public  nse,  would  be  very  largely  enhanced  in  value. 

11.  That  the  bonds  which  will  be  issued  for  the  pur- 
chase of  the  lands  recommended  can  be  at  present  negoti- 
ated at  3 J  per  cent.,  or  one-half  the  interest  paid  on  the 
Central  Park  bonds. 

12.  That  the  land  required  for  parks  should  be  secured 
while  it  can  be  had  at  its  present  minimum  value,  instead 
of  waiting  several  years  when  costly  improvements  shall 
have  been  erected  thereon,  which  would  preclude  the 
possibility  of  its  being  taken  for  the  purpose  designated. 

13.  That  as  no  park  system  can  be  regarded  as  complete 
without  suitable  tracts  for  botanical  and  zoological  gar- 
dens, your  Commission  have  provided  for  these  in  the 
selection  of  sites.  They  have  also  kept  in  view  the  neces- 
sity of  making  provision  at  the  present  time  for  the 
World's  Fair,  and  other  industrial  exhibitions,  which  will 
in  all  probability^  be  held  ftom  time  to  time  in  New  York, 
or  its  immediate  vicinity,  so  long  as  our  state  shall  hold 
its  present  supremacy  as  the  Empire  State  of  the  Union. 

14.  That  the  facilities  afforded  by  the  present,  and 
which  will  be  largely  increased  by  the  projected,  lines  of 
rapid  transit,  place  the  proposed  parks  nearer  to  the  pop- 
ulation of  New  York,  and  render  them  more  accessible, 
than  Central  Park  when  it  was  established. 

15.  That  the  population  of  the  City  of  New  York  at  the 
end  of  ten  years  herefrom  will,  according  to  its  present 
ratio  of  increase,  be  in  all  probability  nearly  two  and  a 
half  millions,  and  that  by  that  time,  that  is  in  1894,  the 
means  of  land  transportation  will  have  been  so  improved 
that  passengers  can  be  carried  from  the  Battery  to  the 
Van  Cortlandt,  Bronx  and  Pclham  Bay  Parks  in  thirty 
minutes. 


208 


16.  That  the  wants  o!  our  citizen-soldiers  are  entitled 
to  immediate  consideration,  and  that  provision  should  be 
made,  as  recommended  by  the  commander  of  the  First 
Division  of  the  National  Guard,  on  the  tract  selected  and 
known  as  the  Yan  Cortlandt  estate,  for  an  ample  parade- 
ground  and  suitable  rifle  range. 

17.  That  as  within  this  property  there  is  a  large  tract  of 
elevated  land  particularly  adapted  for  the  construction  of  a 
reservoir,  and  an  abundance  of  suitable  stone,  and  as  the 
new  Croton  aqueduct  is  to  run  through  it  in  a  direct  line 
from  north  to  south,  your  Commission  consider  the  posses- 
sion of  this  site  as  especially  desirable  for  these  additional 
reasons. 

18.  That  Central  Park  is  wholly  inadequate  to  the  New 
York  of  to-day,  that  it  fails  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  people, 
that  the  proposed  sites  should  be  open  for  the  unre- 
stricted use  of  visitors,  and  that  its  already  too  limited 
area  is  to  be  still  further  reduced  by  the  construction  of 
transverse  streets  across  its  surface  so  necessary  to  secure 
easy  communication  between  the  population  on  its  western 
and  eastern  boundaries. 

19.  That  parks  attract  population,  increase  trade,  invite 
visitors,  and  add  largely  to  the  embellishment  and  renown 
of  the  city. 

20.  That  the  proposed  parks  should  be  wholly  rural  in 
their  character,  that  they  should  be  grounds  for  the  recre- 
ation of  the  people,  and  that  only  such  improvements 
should  be  made  as  are  absolutely  necessary. 

21.  That  the  necessary  steps  should  be  at  once  taken,  by 
the  passage  of  an  act  of  annexation,  to  secure  possession  of 
the  large  tract  on  the  Sound  herein  recommended,  and 
which  embraces  a  territory  of  about  seventeen  hundred 
acres  (including  an  island  of  one  hundred  and  eighty),  and 
having  a  water-front  and  drive  of  nine  miles  in  length. 


204 


In  the  location  of  the  sites  jo\iv  Commission  have  been 
governed  wholly  by  considerations  of  economy,,  suitability, 
and  the  means  of  access.  The  lands  selected  are  natural 
parks,  requiring  but  little  outlay  to  fit  them  for  immediate 
use,  and  in  this  important  respect  differing  materially  from 
Central  Park,  the  improvement  of  which  involved  an  im- 
mense expenditure  and  a  delay  of  at  least  ten  years  before 
it  was  wholly  fit  for  public  occupation.  In  the  case  of  the 
Yan  Cortlandt,  the  Bronx,  St.  Mary's,  Crotona,  Claremont 
and  Peiham  Bay  Parks,  the  land  could,  if  purchased  to-day, 
be  immediately  thrown  open  to  and  enjoyed  by  the  people. 

If  the  sites  located  by  your  Commission  were  now  in 
the  condition  in  which  the  land  taken  for  Central  Park  was 
found  when  appropriated  by  the  city,  they  could  not  be 
brought  to  their  present  state  of  picturesque  loveliness  by 
an  outlay  of  untold  millions.  The  artificial  embellishments 
of  that  park,  which  cost  over  ten  millions  of  dollars,  and 
many  more  millions  to  maintain,  are  vastly  inferior  to  the 
natural  beauty  of  the  parks  herein  recommended.  In  fact, 
nature  has  been  so  lavish  of  her  gifts  in  this  favored  region 
as  to  render  the  aid  of  art  unnecessary^ 

To  l)ring  the  Central  Park  to  its  present  state  from  the 
rough  and  unsightly  condition  of  the  land  when  bought, 
cost  the  city,  with  the  original  purchase  price,  over  twenty- 
five  tliousand  dollars  an  acre;  for  its  beauties  are  wholly 
artificial  in  their  character,  made  not  by  the  hand  of 
nature,  but  by  the  skill  and  labor  of  man;  whereas  in  the 
tracts  selected  by  yowv  Commission  no  outlay  is  necessary 
beyond  the  mere  cost  of  maintenance,  the  work  of  embel- 
lishment having  been  performed  by  the  hand  of  nature 
alone. 

The  influence  of  this  system  of  parkage  will  not  be 
confined  to  the  City  of  New  York  and  the  county  of 
Westchester.  It  will  permeate  the  whole  State.  Our  im- 
perial Commonwealth  takes  a  just  pride  in  the  prosperity 


207 


and  grandeur  of  its  great  metropolis,  and  the  success  of  the 
metropolis  reacts  upon  the  cities  and  counties  of  the  State. 
Though  the  location  of  these  noble  institutions  is  in  the 
city,  yet  the  citizens  of  the  State  are  made  participators  in 
the  pleasures  which  they  afford  when  they  visit  us,  and  may 
justly  feel  proud  of  the  additional  attractiveness  which 
these  grand  parks  lend  to  the  metropolis.  They  tend  to 
weave  thicker  and  closer  the  cords  of  union,  sympathy  and 
a  common  destiny  between  the  city  and  the  country,  between 
the  citizens  of  our  crowded  marts  and  the  farmers  of  border- 
ing Chautauqua  and  St.  Lawrence,  as  well  as  of  all  the 
counties  of  the  State. 

Fpr  the  reasons  herein  set  forth  and  the  overwhelming 
array  of  evidence  by  which  they  are  sustained,  your  Com- 
mission respectfully  recommend  the  several  tracts  of  land 
embraced  under  the  following  titles,  to  be  appropriated 
for  the  recreation  and  enjoyment  of  the  million  and  a  half 
of  inhabitants  of  the  New  York  of  to-day  and  of  its  millions 
yet  to  be : 

ACRES.     ■ 

Yan  Cortlandt  Park l^OGPJi^ 

Bronx  Park 653 

Pelham  Bay  Park 1,700 

Crotona  Park 135^^^ 

St.  Mary's  Park   25^^^ 

Claremont  Park 38yVo 

Mosholu  Parkway 80 

Bronx  and  Pelham  Parkway 95 

Crotona  Parkway 12 

Total 3,8083V_ 

Your  Commission  submit  the  Eeport  of  their  Engineer, 
General  Lane,  giving  the  location  and  boundaries  of  the 
sites  selected,  and  the  approaches  thereto. 


208 


Thej  have  also  drawn  and  lierewith  submit  for  the 
consideration  of  your  Honorable  Bodies,  the  form  of  a  bill, 
based  on  provisions  already  approved  and  adopted  by  the 
Legislature,  for  carrying  out  the  recommendations  of  this 
report. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 


^^^^^^ 


^^r>i 


lyyf/i^z^^ 


209 


ENGINEEE'S  EEPORT. 

Engineers'  Office,  21  Park  PiiACE,  ) 
iNew  York,  December  26,  1883.       \ 

Hon .  Luther  R.  Marsh,  President, 
Louis  Fitzgerald, 
Waldo  Hutchins, 
Chas.  L.  Tiffany, 
Wm.  W.  Niles, 
Geo.  W.  McLean, 
Thos.  J.  Crombie, 

Commisfiioners  appointed  under  chapter  253  of  Laws  of  1883  of  the  Legis- 
lature of  the  State  of  New  York  to  select  and  locate  lands  for  public  parks 
in  the  Tuoenty-tliird  and  Twenty  fourth  Wards  of  the  City  of  New  York 
and  the  vicinity  thereof : 

Gentlemen — Having  been  appointed  surveyor  to  your  Commission, 
and  in  obedience  to  the  duties  incumbent  on  said  appointment,  I  beg 
leave  to  report  as  follows.  Having  officially  examined  and  mapped  the 
different  localities  which  the  Commission  have  selected  and  located  for 
parks  and  parkways  in  the  Twenty-third  and  Twenty-fourth  Wards  of 
the  City  of  New  York  and  vicinity,  and  approximately  calculated  the 
areas  of  said  parks  and  parkways,  I  prepared  a  sketch  map  of  the  City 
of  New  York  and  vicinity  (which  map  accompanies  this  report)  showing 
the  contour  of  the  parks  and  parkways  selected  by  your  Commission 
in  the  Twenty-third  and  Twenty  fourth  Wards  of  the  city  and  vicinity, 
and  also  showing  the  approaches  and  the  means  of  transit  to  the  same — 
both  those  in  actual  oj^eration  and  those  contemj^lated  on  land — while 
the  water  conveyances  to  Pelham  Bay  Park  are  too  obvious,  on  the 
map  exhibited,  to  need  further  description . 

'  The  following  is  a  description  of  the  boundaries  and  acreage  of  the 
several  parks  and  parkways  as  selected  by  the  Commission  ;  it  being 
understood  that  all  internal  streets  and  railroad  rights  of  way,  now 
existing  and  having  been  purchased  and  paid  for  by  the  City  of  New 
York,  are  herein  deducted  from  the  total  acreage  within  the  boundaries 
given. 

First— Yh.1^  CORTLANDT  PARK  BOUNDARIES. 

Beginning  at  the  intersection  of  the  easterly  line  of  Broadway  with  the 
northerly  line  of  the  city  of  New  York,  running  thence  easterly  along 
the  northerly  line  or  l)oundary  of  the  city  to  the  intersection  of  said  line 
with  the  westerly  line  of  Mount  Vernon  avenue  ;  thence  southerly  along 
the  line  of  Mount  Vernon  avenue  to  the  junction  of  said  westerly  line  of 
Mount  Vernon  avenue  with  the  northerly  line  of  Willard  avenue  ;  thence 
14 


210 


westerly  along  said  northerly  line  of  Willard  avenue,  crossing  Jerome 
avenue  to  the  westerly  line  of  Jerome  avenue ;  thence  along  said  westerly 
line  of  Jerome  avenue  in  a  southeasterly  and  southerly  direction  to  the 
junction  with  the  northerly  line  of  Gunhill  road  ;  from  thence  westerly 
along  the  northerly  line  of  Gunliill  road,  following  its  wanderings  and 
extending  on  said  northerly  line  of  Gunhill  road  to  a  point  two  hundred 
and  seventy -five  (275)  feet  easterly  and  at  right  angles  from  the 
easterly  boundary  of  the  Croton  aqueduct  right  of  way;  from  thence 
crossing  the  Gunhill  road  at  right  angles  for  the  full  widtli  of  said  Gun- 
hill road  ;  from  thence  in  a  straight  line  southerly  of  west  to  a  point  on 
the  easterly  side  of  Broadway  aforesaid,  ten  feet  southerly  of  the  bridge 
over  Tibbetts  brook  on  said  Broadway  ;  from  thence  along  the  easterly 
line  of  Broadway  in  a  northerly  direction,  following  its  windings  to 
the  place  of  beginning,  containing  about  1, 132f\^^  acres  ;  from  which 
area  is  to  be  deducted  the  existing  streets,  roads  and  railroad  right  of 
way  located  witliin  the  before-described  grounds,  viz,  :  A  street  running 
from  jMount  Vernon  avenue  boundary  line  northerly  toward  McLean's 
lake,  also  Jerome  avenue  from  intersection  with  Willard  avenue 
northerly  to  city  line  ;  also  Croton  aqueduct  right  of  way  ;  also  Mosholu 
avenue  ;  also  New  York  and  Northern  Railroad  Company's  right  of  way ; 
also  Mount  Vernon  avenue  from  Jerome  avenue  to  Gunhill  road  ;  also 
Gunhill  road  from  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  east  of  Croton  aqueduct 
right  of  way  to  Van  Cortlandt  avenue  ;  also  a  continuation  of  Gunhill 
road  from  Van  Cortlandt  Avenue  to  Broadway,  all  of  which  are 
within  the  boundaries  aforesaid,  and  contain  an  acreage  of  63/^  acres, 
which  deducted  from  the  acreage  between  the  bounds  as  given,  leave  for 
Park  purposes  about  l,069/^\^  acres  to  be  purchased  if  said  park  is 
adopted. 

Second— BUOWK  PARK  BOUNDARIES. 

All  the  contents  within  the  following  boundary,  viz.  :  Beginning  at  a 
point  in  tlie  Twenty-fourth  Ward  of  the  City  of  New  York,  formed  by 
the  junction  of  the  north  line  of  Samuel  street  and  the  west  bank  of  the 
Bronx  river ;  from  thence  westerly  along  the  northerly  line  of  Sanmel 
street  to  the  easterly  line  of  Bronx  street ;  from  thence  northerly  along 
said  easterly  line  of  Bronx  street  to  the  northerly  line  of  Ann  street ;  from 
tlience  westerly  along  tlie  nortlierly  line  of  Ann  street  to  the  easterly  line 
of  Boston  road;  from  thence  northerly  along  said  easterly  line  of  the  Bos- 
ton road  to  a  i)oint  in  line  with  the  northerly  line  of  Kingsbridge  road; 
from  thence  westerly  along  the  northerly  line  of  Kingsbridge  road  to  tlie 
easterly  line  of  tlie  Southern  Boulevard;  from  thence  northerly,  along 
and  following  tlie  easterly  line  of  the  Southern  Boulevard,  to  the  north- 
erly line  of  St.  John's  College  iiroperty  ;  from  thence,  crossing  the  South- 
ern Boulevard  and  following  the  northerly  boundary  of  the  St.  John's 


211 


College  property  northwesterly,  to  the  easterly  line  of  the  right  of  way  of 
the  New  York  &  Harlem  Railroad  Co.  ;  from  thence  along  said  easterly 
line  of  said  right  of  way,  and  following  its  course  northeasterly  to  a 
l)oint  about  three  hundred  (300)  feet  northeasterly  of  the  northerly  line 
of  Water  street,  to  a  point  formed  by  the  junction  of  the  prolongation 
westward  of  the  northerly  line  of  Morris  street,  as  laid  down  on  a  parti- 
tion map  and  survey  made  by  Egbert  L.  Viele,  Civil  Engineer,  under  an 
order  of  the  Supreme  Court,  bearing  date  the  23d  day  of  August,  1869; 
from  thence  along  said  prolongation  of  the  northerly  line  of  Morris  street, 
crossing  the  Bronx  river  and  along  said  northerly  line  of  Morris  street,  to 
a  point  about  twenty  (20)  feet  easterly  of  the  eastern  line  of  Duncomb 
avenue,  as  shown  on  the  map  aforesaid ;  from  thence,  in  a  straight  line 
southerly,  and  nearly  parallel  to  and  east  of  Monroe  avenue,  as  shown  on 
said  map,  to  the  northwesterly  corner  of  land  formerly  belonging  to  John 
Hitchcock,  as  shown  on  said  map  ;  from  thence,  in  a  straight  line  south- 
erly, to  the  southeastern  corner  of  the  Lorillard  estate,  as  shown  on  map 
aforesaid  ;  thence  westerly  along  the  southerly  boundary  of  the  Lorillard 
estate,  as  sliown  on  said  map,  to  the  lands  belonging  to  the  Bronx 
Bleaching  Company ;  thence  southwesterly,  southerly  and  westerly,  along 
the  easterly  and  southerly  boundary  of  the  Bronx  Bleaching  Company,  to 
a  point  two  hundred  (200)  feet  easterly  of  the  Bronx  river;  from  thence 
southerly  and  parallel  with  the  general  line  of  the  Bronx  river,  crossing 
tlie  Boston  road,  to  its  southerly  line ;  thence  easterly  along  said  southerly 
line  of  Boston  road  about  five  hundred  and  twenty  (520)  feet;  from 
thence  southerly,  and  parallel  with  the  general  courses  of  the  Bronx  river, 
and  conforming  thereto,  about  seven  hundred  (700)  feet  easterly  of  the 
general  eastern  line  thereof,  to  a  point  formed  by  such  line,  and  a  pro- 
longation of  the  southerly  line  of  Kingsbridge  road  as  now  existing  in 
tlie  Twenty-fourth  ward  of  the  City  of  New  York,  between  the  Southern 
Boulevard  and  Bronx  street;  eastwardly  across  the  Bronx  river  to  the 
said  line  as  drawn  parallel  to  the  general  course  of  the  Bronx  river  as 
aforesaid  ;  from  tlience  in  a  straight  line  crossing  the  Bronx  river  to  the 
place  of  beginning,  containing  about  six  hundred  and  sixty-one  sixty 
ono-hundredths  (601  60-100)  acres,  from  which,  deducting  those  portions 
of  Fordham  and  Pelham  avenue,  and  of  the  Southern  Boulevard,  com- 
prising together  about  eight  and  six-tenths  acres,  included  and  enclosed 
in  the  within  named  boundaries,  would  leave  for  Park  purposes  about 
six  hundred  and  fifty-three  (653)  acres,  to  be  purchased  if  said  park  is 
adopted. 

Third— FEJjllA^l  BAY  PARK. 

All  those  pieces  or  parcels  of  land  situate   and  lying  within  West- 
chester County,  contained  within  the  following  boundary,  viz,  : 

Beginning  on  Long  Island  Sound  at    u  point  where  a  line  drawn  from 
the  termination  of  the  northern  boundary  of  the  City  of  New  York  touches 


212 


the  Bronx  river  to  the  furthermost  northern  point  of  tlie  "Pass  Rocks,"  a 
ledge  of  rocks  north  of  Hunter's  Island,  would  touch  the  shore  line  and 
waters  of  Long  Island  Sound ;  from  thence  westerly  along  said  line  be- 
tween the  New  York  City  northern  boundary  and  Long  Island  Sound  to  a 
l)()int  about  one  thousand  feet  easterly  from  the  easterly  side  of  the  Old 
Boston  Post-road,  measuring  from  its  junction  with  the  extended  northern 
boundary  of  New  York  City  ;  from  thence  southerly  to  the  nearest  point 
on  tlie  northerly  shore  of  Hutchinson's  river ;  from  thence  southerly  and 
easterly  ak)ng  the  northerly  shore  of  Hutchinson's  river  to  a  point  formed  by 
a  line  drawn  due  northwest  from  tlie  most  westerly  point  on  Goose  Island,  in 
said  Hutchinson's  river  or  East  Chester  bay,  and  touching  the  northerly 
shore  line  of  said  Hutchinson's  river ;  from  this  point  southerly  in  a 
straigiit  line  to  a  point  formed  by  the  westerly  line  of  the  Harlem  River 
and  Portchester  Railroad  Company's  right  of  way  with  the  southerly 
shore  line  of  East  Chester  bay  or  Hutchinson's  river ;  from  thence  in  a 
straight  line  to  the  northwesterly  corner  of  the  property  belonging  to  and 
known  as  the  residence  of  John  W.  Hunter,  Esq.  ;  from  thence  along  said 
property  Imes  of  John  Hunter  southerly  to  the  eastern  line  of  the  Eastern 
Boulevard;  from  thence  along  said  eastern  line  of  the  Eastern  Boule- 
vard to  tlie  southwesterly  corner  of  lands  belonging  to  J.  Furman,  Esq.  ; 
from  thence  easterly  along  the  boundary  line  between  the  property  of 
said  Furman  and  the  lands  of  Lorillard  Spencer  and  J.  M.  Waterbury  to 
Long  Island  Sound;  from  thence  following  northwardly  tlie  coast  line 
along  the  shores  and  waters  of  Long  Island  Sound,  East  Chester  and 
Pelham  bays,  around  and  including  Pelham  Bridge  Island  and  Pelham 
Neck  to  the  southerly  line  of  the  causeway  leading  to  Hunter's  Island; 
thence  along  said  southerly  line  of  causeway  to  Hunter's  Island ;  thence 
southerly,  easterly,  northerly  and  westerly,  and  southerly  along  the  shore 
and  waters  of  the  coast  line  of  said  Hunter's  Island  and  the  small  island 
know  as  the  Twin,  following  said  coast  line  entirely  around  said  Hunter's 
and  Twin  islands  to  the  northerly  line  of  the  causeway  or  bridge  leading 
to  the  main  land  from  Hunter's  Island  ;  from  thence  along  said  northerly 
line  of  causeway  to  the  shore  and  water  line  of  the  main  land;  from 
thence  along  said  main  land  shore  and  water  line  northerly  to  the  place 
of  beginning.  Together  with  all  small  islands,  rocks,  etc.,  situate  and 
lying  within  a  line  drawn  between  the  extreme  southerly  bound  herein 
descril)ed  and  the  farthest  southeastern  projection  of  Pelham  Rock, 
and  between  the  most  easterly  jioint  on  Pelham  Rock  and  the  outermost 
southern  and  eastern  point  of  Hunter's  and  Twin  islands;  and  also  in- 
cluding th(!  rocks  on  the  north  and  east  of  Hunter's  Island  known  as  Pass 
Rocks.  The  whole  within  the  above-described  boundaries  containing 
about  seventeen  hundred  and  fifty-six  (1,75G)  acres.  From  which  deduct- 
ing the  sliore  road,  also  the  road  from  City  Island  through  Pelham  Neck 
toward  Mount  Vernon,  also  Fordham   and   Pelham    Boulevards   and  the 


213 


Eastern  Boulevard  between  the  boundaries,  also  the  right  of  way  of  the 
branch  railroad  of  the  New  York  and  New  Haven  Railroad  Company, 
composing  together  about  fifty-six  (56)  acres,  would  leave  for  park  pur- 
poses about  seventeen  hundred  (1,700)  acres  to  be  purchased  if  said  park 
is  adopted. 

Fourth— -BUO-^^iX  AND  PELHAM  PARKWAY. 

All  those  pieces  or  parcels  of  land  situate  and  lying  in  Westchester 
county,  contained  within  the  following  boundary,  viz. : 

Beginning  at  the  junction  of  Fordham  and  Pelham  Boulevards  with 
Pelham  Bay  Park  as  heretofore  described,  and  on  the  southerly  side  line 
of  said  Fordham  and  Pelham  Boulevard,  a  continuous  strip  of  land  is 
taken  three  hundred  feet  wide,  bounded  by  said  southerly  line  of  the 
Fordham  and  Pelham  Boulevard  and  a  line  parallel  to  said  southerly 
line  of  boulevard  and  three  hundred  feet  distant  southerly  from  said  line. 
The  strip  of  land  extending  from  Pelham  Bay  Park  to  the  crossing  of 
said  boulevard  by  the  Kingsbridge  road.  From  thence  a  strip  bounded 
by  }jarallel  lines  four  hundred  feet  apart,  extends  along  said  Fordham 
and  Pelham  Boulevard  to  the  Boston  Post-road  in  such  manner  as  to 
allow  said  boulevard  to  cross  diagonally  said  strip  of  land  from  end  to . 
end,  viz.,  between  the  Kingsbridge  road  and  Boston  Post-road;  from 
thence  a  strip  three  hundred  feet  wide  is  taken  on  the  northerly  side  of 
the  northerly  line  of  said  boulevard  and  touching  it,  and  bounded  by  a 
line  parallel  to  and  three  hundred  feet  distant  northerly  from  said  north 
line  of  said  boulevard  and  extending  to  a  complete  junction  with  the 
Bronx  Park  herein  described,  containing  about  ninety-five  (95)  acres, 
exclusive  of  cross  roads,  to  be  purchased  if  said  parkway  is  adopted. 

Fifth— UOSROJJJ  PARKWAY. 

All  that  piece  or  parcel  of  land,  situate  and  lying  in  the  Twenty- 
fourth  Ward  of  the  City  of  New  York,  between  two  parallel  lines  six 
hundred  feet  distant  from  each  other,  connecting  Bronx  Park  with  Van 
Cortlandt  Park  and  located  on  both  sides  of  and  including  Middle 
Brook  Parkway,  Brook  street  and  a  small  brook  or  tributary  running 
through  said  Middle  Brook  Parkway  and  Brook  street,  as  shown  by  the 
map  of  the  new  system  of  streets  as  laid  out  by  the  Commissioners  of 
Public  Parks,  containing  about  eighty  (80)  acres,  exclusive  of  opened 
streets  and  avenues  crossing  it,  to  be  purchased  if  said  parkway  is 
adopted. 

Sixth— CROTQ-^ A   PARK. 

All  those  pieces  or  parcels  of  land  lying  and  being  in  the  Twenty-fourth 

Ward    of   the   City    of   New    York,    contained    within    the    following 

boundary,  viz.  :     Beginning  at  the  junction  of  the  northern  boundary  line 

of  the   Twenty-third  Ward  and  the  easterly  line   of  Fulton  avenue,  as 


214 


shown  on  the  map  of  the  new  system  of  streets  as  laid  out  by  the  Com- 
missioners of  Public  Parks ;  thence  eastwardly  along  said  northern 
boundary  of  the  Twenty-third  Ward,  crossing  Franklin  avenue  (Broad- 
way), and  continuing  on  said  boundary  line  to  a  point  three  hundred  and 
twenty  (320)  feet  westerly  from  the  westerly  line  of  Boston  Post  road ; 
tlience  along  a  line  parallel  to  and  westwardly  of  the  said  westerly  line  of 
Boston  Post-road,  and  distant  therefrom  three  hundred  and  twenty  (320) 
feet  to  the  junction  of  the  Boston  Post-road  with  the  Southern  Boule- 
vard ;  thence  on  a  line  three  hundred  and  twenty  feet  westerly  and 
parallel  to  the  westerly  side  of  the  Southern  Boulevard  to  a  point  three 
hundred  (300)  feet  southerly  from  the  southerly  line  of  Fairmount  avenue 
as  shown  on  said  city  map  ;  thence  westerly  three  hundred  feet  distant 
from  and  parallel  to  the  southerly  line  of  Fairmount  avenue  crossing 
Franklin  avenue  (Broadway)  to  a  prolongation  southerly  of  the  westerly 
line  of  Broad  street  as  shown  on  said  map  ;  thence  northerly  along  such 
prolongation  of  the  westerly  line  of  Broad  street,  and  northerly  along 
said  westerly  line  of  Broad  street  to  its  junction  with  the  southerly  line 
(»f  Tremont  avenue;  thence  westerly  along  the  southerly  line  of 
Tremont  avenue  to  the  junction  of  said  line  with  the  easterly  line 
of  Fordham  avenue  ;  thence  southerly  along  said  easterly  line 
of  Fordham  avenue  to  the  northerly  line  of  One  Hundred  and 
Seventy-iifth  (175th)  street  (Fitch  street);  thence  easterly  two  hun- 
(li-ed  and  eighty  (280)  feet  along  said  northerly  line  of  Fitch  street; 
thence  in  a  straight  line  southerly  to  the  place  or  point  of 
i)eginning.  Containing  within  the  boundaries  named  about  141  -^^jf  acres, 
from  wliich  deduct  Franklin  avenue  for  it  full  length  within  such 
boundaries,  viz.  :  6  ^^^  acres,  leaves  to  be  purchased  about  135  ^^^^  acres 
if  said  park  is  adopted. 

Seventh— OjAUBMO^T  PARK. 

Also  all  that  certain  tract  of  land  situate  and  lying  in  the  Twenty- 
third  and  Twenty-fourth  AVards  of  the  City  of  New  York,  within  the 
following  boundaries  :  Beginning  at  a  point  formed  by  the  junction 
of  the  i)rolongation  westwardly  of  the  southerly  line  of  Jane  street 
(old  name)  with  the  easterly  line  of  Fleetwood  avenue  ;  thence  east< 
erly  along  said  j^rolongation  and  along  fho  southerly  line  of  Jane 
street  and  continuing  eastwardly  said  straight  line  to  its  junction  with 
the  westerly  line  of  (Grant  Place)  Elliott  street  ;  thence  along  the 
westerly  line  of  Elliott  street  southerly  to  the  easterly  line  of  Fleet- 
wood avenue  ;  thence  along  the  easterly  line  of  Fleetwood  avenue  to 
th(^  place  of  beginning,  containing  about  thirty-eight  {^'q  acres,  to  be 
])urchased  if  said  jjark  is  adopted. 

Eighth—HT.  MARY'S  PARK. 
Also  all  those   certain   tracts   of  land   situate   and  lying  in   the 
Twenty-third  Ward  of  the  city  of  New  York  within  the  following 


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boundaries,  viz.  :  Beginning  at  a  point  formed  by  the  intersection  of 
the  southerly  line  of  St.  Mary's  avenue  and  the  easterly  line  of  St. 
Ann's  avenue  ;  thence  northerly  along  the  easterly  line  of  St.  Ann's 
avenue  to  the  southerly  line  of  One  Hundred  and  Forty-ninth  street ; 
thence  along  the  southerly  line  of  One  Hundred  and  Forty-ninth 
street  easterly  to  the  westerly  right-of-way  line  of  the  Port  Morris 
Branch  Railroad  Company's  property  ;  thence  southeasterly  along 
said  westerly  line  of  railroad  right  of  way  to  the  easterly  line  of  a 
street  forming  a  southerly  extension  of  Robbins  avenue,  as  shown  on 
a  map  of  the  new  system  of  streets  as  laid  out  by  the  Commissioners 
of  Public  Parks  ;  thence  along  the  easterly  line  of  such  street,  extend- 
ing southerly  from  Robbins  avenue,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  (±oO) 
feet  ;  thence  westerly  and  in  a  straight  line  to  a  point  in  the  southerly 
line  of  St.  Mary's  street,  distant  about  thirty  feet  northerly  and  at 
right  angles  to  the  northerly  line  of  One  Hundred  and  Forty-third 
street  ;  from  thence  along  the  southerly  line  of  St.  Mary's  street 
westerly  to  the  point  of  beginning,  containing  about  twenty-eight 
and  y'o  acres,  from  which  is  to  be  deducted  Passage  avenue  for  its 
full  length  within  the  bounds  mentioned,  containing  about  three 
iVff  (3  iVo)  acres,  leaving  to  be  purchased  about  twenty -five  jW  (25^^) 
acres  if  said  park  is  adopted. 

Mnth—CROTOl^A  PARKWAY. 

Also  all  those  pieces  or  parcels  of  land  contained  in  a  strip  one  hun- 
dred feet  wide :  Beginning  at  the  junction  of  the  Southern  Boulevard 
with  the  Bronx  Park,  at  Kingsbridge  Road  crossing,  thence  southerly 
along  the  easterly  side  of  the  Southern  Boulevard,  and  parallel  with  and 
touchmg  the  same,  a  strip  of  land  one  hundred  feet  wide,  as  an  addition 
to  the  width  of  said  Boulevard,  said  strip  to  continue  southerly,  and  of 
its  full  width  of  one  hundred  feet  to  a  point  one  hundred  feet  south  of 
the  southerly  line  of  Fairmount  avenue,  from  thence  westerly  widening 
Fairmount  avenue  on  its  southerly  side  by  a  strip  one  hundred  feet  in 
width,  to  a  point  one  hundred  feet  westerly  of  the  northeasterly  corner 
of  Tremont  Park,  and  at  right  angles  northerly  from  said  northeast  cor- 
ner of  park  aforesaid ;  from  thence  in  a  straight  line  parallel  with  said 
right  angle  two  hundred  feet  in  width,  touching  the  park  and  the  street 
running  easterly  of  the  park  containing  about  twelve  acres,  to  be  pur- 
chased if  said  Boulevard  enlargement  is  adopted. 

All  of  these  descriptions  of  Parks,  Parkways  and  Boulevard  enlarge- 
ment, substantially  as  laid  out  upon  the  Sketch  Map  of  the  City  of  New 
York  and  vicinity,  showing  the  sites  of  and  approaches  to  the  parks 
selected  and  located  by  the  Commission  appointed  under  chapter  253  of 
the  Laws  of  1 853,  as  submitted  herewith,  and  dated  New  York,  January 

7,  1884. 

Very  Respectfully, 

JAJVIES  C.  LANE,  C.  E. 


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